P O S I TIO N P A P E R

Name: Hashir Ali Awan

Topic Area A: The South China Sea Dispute

The South China Sea dispute has been a reason behind tensions in the Eastern-Pacific region. The People’s
Republic of China believes that there are two major areas of dispute that must be resolved by the United Nations
Security Council during the course of the conference: Territorial and Navigational. Territorial area of the dispute
involves the disagreements between states directly concerned and China over territorial sovereignty in China’s Nanhai
Zhudao (Islands in the South China Sea). Navigational disputes consist of the illegal advances and unnecessary
provocations by certain states in order to challenge China’s territorial sovereignty.

China is the first to have discovered, explored and developed the Nanhai Zhudao and surrounding waters. China
has continuously and effectively exercised sovereignty and authority over the islands, thus establishing territorial
sovereignty of China in the South China Sea. China has historic rights in the South China Sea and, through
declarations and laws, has maintained this position since 1949. In 1948, we strengthened our administration on
the South China Sea Islands by publishing a Location Map of the South China Sea Islands which contains the
dotted line.

China respects the freedom of navigation and over flight in the South China Sea. At the same time, China stands
firmly against any foreign intervention and believes that military operations conducted in the region serve no use
except deliberately escalating tensions and destabilizing the region. The Hanai Island Incident of 2001 is a prime
example of how these operations serve as baseless provocations and violation of territorial sovereignty of China.
Operations conducted within territorial seas of China’s Nanhai Zhudao are extremely irresponsible and beyond
acceptable limits. China will continue to strengthen its defense ability building in all areas and take all measures
necessary to defend its security, which is absolutely necessary due to presence of countries which routinely
challenge China’s sovereignty.

We do not believe in a third party dispute settlement and only believe in negotiations between parties that are
directly involved. The People’s Republic of China firmly believes that the award rendered by the Arbitral Tribunal
in the South China Sea arbitration is not binding. The subject-matter of arbitration is issues of territorial
sovereignty, which has been disregarded, keeping in mind China's 2006 declaration pursuant to Article 298 of
UNCLOS and that the territorial sovereignty over several maritime features in the South China Sea does not
concern the interpretation or application of the Convention. Moreover, the unilateral initiation of arbitration by
Philippines not only breaches the agreement between China and the Philippines, but also the agreement between
China and ASEAN Members (including Philippines) in the 2002 Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the
South China Sea (DOC) to resolve the territorial issues through dialogue between states directly concerned.

China will continue to work to resolve territorial disputes through bilateral dialogue and follow the 2002 DOC,
which calls to resolve the relevant disputes through negotiations by states directly concerned. We, and several
states in the region, believe that peaceful resolution of territorial disputes through bilateral dialogue, without
external influence and keeping in mind the historical facts, is a way through which longstanding stability can be
achieved in the region. China, recently, has agreed to resume bilateral dialogue with Republic of Philippines and
has previously signed several agreements, and has had bilateral negotiations with Socialist Republic of Vietnam.
China will make any effort necessary to enter into interim arrangements of a practical nature in order to make
it easier for the states directly concerned and China to reach a permanent and effective solution to the dispute.
China believes that South China Sea Dispute is not the only factor that defines its bilateral relations with the states
involved in the dispute. China wishes to strengthen economic ties and enhance cooperation with the states directly
involved, especially on the areas of common interest.

Topic Area B: Pak-Afghan Border Security in wake of the NATO-Withdrawal

Afghanistan has an important geostrategic location in the region and there have been instances in the past where
instability and chaos in Afghanistan has spread to neighboring countries. The International Community must
realize how imperative Afghanistan’s peace is. Any civil war or unrest is likely to spill into neighboring countries,
including China and Pakistan. China therefore considers instability in Afghanistan as a threat to national security
of China and we will take all actions necessary to establish stability through negotiations. We have not only initiated
talks within the regional stakeholders but also have had bilateral agreements with Afghanistan to strengthen the
local government.

Pakistan and Afghanistan share the border called the Durand Line, Durand Line has been porous to not only
terrorists, but also has been a passage for illicit arm and drug trade. Instances of cross-border terrorism by
transnational non-state actors have continuously undermined efforts of peace-building in the region, in which
both Pakistan and Afghanistan have suffered grave losses. Terrorist organizations such as the Islamic Movement
of Uzbekistan (IMU), East Turkestan Islamic Movement and the Afghan Taliban continue to operate in
Afghanistan and their influence has spread to Pakistan as well, as the IMU took responsibility for the attack on
Karachi Airport in June 2014. China believes that the Pak-Afghan border security is essential for establishment of
peace in the region as all firm military actions taken on either side of the border are seriously hampered by the
transfer of high-level commanders from one side of the border to the other. These continuous transfers of
commanders and terrorists have led to not only the spread of insurgency but also their ideology.

The constant foreign influence in the region has been a reason behind weak local institutions and lack of peace
and stability in the region. The principle guiding China in its policy on Afghanistan is that it belongs to the Afghan
people, not to any foreign power, and that the Afghan people should be responsible for running their country.
Afghanistan is not an object for major powers to transfer back and forth or divide up among themselves, as they
have done in history. China, standing firmly on its non-interventionist policy, believes in assisting Afghan
government, by investing in the country, which in no means must be considered as a means to intervene into
policy matters or to acquire power. China has previously invested in Afghanistan’s Mes Aynak copper mine and
the Amu Darya oil fields. In addition, over the next five years China will give training to 3,000 Afghan
professionals in various fields, including counterterrorism, anti-drug trafficking, agriculture, and diplomacy. In
Pakistan, we have the China Pakistan Economic Corridor which aims at strengthening regional economy.

Along with discussing the historical, social and political significance of the Durand Line, The United Nations
Security Council needs to take a three-tier step approach towards securing the Pak-Afghan border. Firstly,
determining the legal status of the Durand Line, secondly, working towards formation of a framework to secure
projects and empower the regional government, especially the China Pakistan Economic Corridor and thirdly,
enhancing cooperation between the two states for combating illicit drug and arm trade, along with transnational
terrorist groups. What the international community must jointly work towards is a stable Afghanistan, which is
pivotal for regional peace and stability.