PMF Model

United Nations
2024

Background Guide of ASEAN

Topic: Strengthening Maritime Security and
Reducing Tensions in the South China Sea
Written By : Kenza Mokrani and Maya Mlika
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Dear Delegates,

It is our honor and pleasure to welcome you to this year’s PMF MUN’s conference.We are

looking forward to meeting you all and having the privilege of guiding you in debate. We hope

you have fun researching the South China Sea Crisis and we expect this background guide to

give you a strong grasp of its basics. Should you have any questions or need any help in your

research, please reach out to us.

The Chairs

*Brief introduction:

The South China Sea is one of the primary routes for international trade. It is home to numerous

oil reserves in addition to plentiful fishing stocks, causing disputes among its surrounding

nations. Though complex, tackling this area’s issues is of particular interest as it can be studied

through various aspects: political, military and economic. We hope to see you seize this

opportunity to highlight its strategic importance, not only on a regional scale, but most

importantly on a worldwide scale as it plays a key role in understanding current geopolitical

dynamics.

*Historical context:

The South China Sea dispute traces back to the 1930s as a result of the Sino-French conflict.

Still, the Sea remained relatively quiet up until the 1951 San Francisco Treaty.
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It failed to stipulate possession of the Spratly islands when Japan lost its title to them after defeat

in the Second World War. China took this opportunity and established itself on a few pieces of

land in the Spratlys.

When the discovery of potential oil and gas reserves was brought up, nations initiated physical

presences and engaged in military incidents, illustrating the region’s geostrategic potential.

*Background on the Current Situation:

-The South China Sea, surrounded by China, Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines,

Taiwan, and Vietnam, and plenty of other nations , is a vital trade route facilitating over

$5 trillion in trade annually. Rich in natural resources, it's a hotspot for disputes over

maritime boundaries, including islands, reefs, and rocks. Tensions have escalated with

assertive actions like military deployments, artificial island constructions, and resource

extraction, reflecting its economic and geopolitical significance.

-China claims about 80% of the South China Sea with its Nine-Dash Line, drawn in 1947. This

claim overlaps with areas where neighboring countries have rights to economic activities.

But China hasn't been clear about whether it controls just the land or the surrounding

waters too. This lack of clarity causes confusion. Despite a 2016 ruling against China's

use of the Nine-Dash Line, China keeps building military bases on man-made islands in

the region.
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*Main issues ( conflicts and tension in the region ) and

International Approaches to Solving Maritime Disputes

-Competing territorial claims in the South China Sea remain a significant source of tension, with

multiple hotspots sparking international concern. The Spratly Islands, for instance, are claimed

by China, Taiwan, and Vietnam, primarily due to their strategic location and the potential wealth

of resources, including oil and gas reserves. Similarly, the Scarborough Shoal is a point of

contention between China, Taiwan, and the Philippines, mainly concerning fishing rights in its

rich waters.

-The Paracel Islands represent another area of dispute, claimed by China, Taiwan, and Vietnam.

These islands have witnessed confrontations, particularly over the deployment of oil rigs and

clashes between naval forces. Additionally, the Senkaku Islands dispute between Japan and

China, with the involvement of the United States due to treaty obligations, underscores the

complex nature of territorial disputes in the region.

-In addressing these disputes, international frameworks such as the United Nations Convention

on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) have been instrumental. However, challenges persist,

including enforcement issues and differing interpretations of maritime laws. Furthermore,

regional efforts led by this committee aim to negotiate resolutions. Yet, doubt remains regarding

their effectiveness, as past agreements have lacked enforceability and failed to ease tensions

significantly.

*History of the committee:

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This dispute seemed to change for the better in 2002, when ASEAN and China came together to

sign the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea. It aimed to establish a

framework for a Code of Conduct for the South China Sea. The parties promised “to exercise

self-restraint in the conduct of activities that would complicate or escalate disputes and affect

peace and stability including, among others, refraining from action of inhabiting on the presently

uninhabited islands, reefs, shoals, cays, and other features and to handle their differences in a

constructive manner.”

Initially, the Declaration seemed efficient.

But that was until Beijing launched a charm offensive across Southeast Asia. Despite that, the

claimants refrained from provoking each other by occupying additional features.They preferred

strengthening their cooperation.

In May 2009, Malaysia and Vietnam sent a joint submission to the Commission on the Limits of

the Continental Shelf setting out some of their claims. However, the other affected countries

objected to the two nation’s claims.

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The “nine dash line”

China responded to the joint submission by submitting a map containing the infamous

“nine-dash” line. This line surrounds the wide majority of the South China sea. However,

Beijing kept the meaning of this line ambiguous. It claimed: “China has indisputable sovereignty

over the islands in the South China Sea and the adjacent waters, and enjoys sovereign rights and

jurisdiction over the relevant waters as well as the seabed and subsoil thereof (see attached

map).” This could mean that China claims its official islands and any “adjacent waters” allowed

under maritime law only. Or it could mean that China claims the entirety of the territorial

features and all the waters enclosed by the nine-dash line, even those that are not permitted

under maritime law.

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*Questions to Consider:

*What role should regional organizations like ASEAN play in mediating and resolving the

crisis?

* How can the United Nations and UNCLOS be leveraged to promote a peaceful resolution to

the disputes in the South China Sea?

*To what extent do historical factors contribute to the current tensions, and how can these

historical grievances be addressed in diplomatic efforts?

* What measures can be implemented to ensure the sustainable management of resources in the

South China Sea, considering environmental concerns?

End note:

After delving into this background guide, it is evident that this issue cannot be taken lightly.

Shaped with legal intricacies and geopolitical complexities, this issue is the perfect

representation of global dynamics.

But this should not intimidate you. With this challenge lies a unique opportunity to take your

first steps in diplomacy and foster global cooperation. With your contribution comes a beacon of

hope for the future of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

We recognize your courage and determination to be a change-maker in this rapidly changing world.

We hope that you will make the most out of this once in a lifetime opportunity. So don’t hesitate,

separate yourself from the mob, choose to be bold and confident and watch as this experience

permanently changes you for the better.

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Sources / For further reading:

https://www.geopoliticalmonitor.com/maritime-chessboard-the-geopolitical-dynamics-of-the-south-china-sea/

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-pacific-13748349

https://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Parliamentary_Departments/Parliamentary_Library/pubs/rp/rp2122/Chro

nologies/SouthChinaSeaChronology

https://www.lawfaremedia.org/article/south-china-sea-dispute-brief-history

https://peacepalacelibrary.nl/research-guide/south-china-sea-territorial-disputes

https://www.britannica.com/topic/territorial-disputes-in-the-South-China-Sea

https://www.cfr.org/global-conflict-tracker/conflict/territorial-disputes-south-china-sea

https://www.crisisgroup.org/asia/south-east-asia/south-china-sea/recent-history-south-china-sea-timeline

Written by: Kenza Mokrani and Maya Mlika