After yesterday’s foreshadowing, it appears the delegates of GA1 have finally gotten the ball rolling with today’s debate. With a heated discussion over China’s claim in the South China Sea, claims over whether the Philippines’ constitution had included territorial assertions were debated. Despite great efforts, the discussions resulted in a stalemate, with few changed opinions among the delegates.
The resolution proposed by the delegate of Singapore, who was absent during the debate and replaced by the delegate of the Philippines, passed with an overwhelming majority. Considering the level of passion and emotion demonstrated during the debate, the success of a passed resolution was that much more admirable.
Shots fired
Emotions run hot, as decorum has seemingly sunk to the bottom, replaced with hollering, fact checks, and even slammed doors. Some underhand tactics have been employed too, encouraging delegates to vote in order to prevent another delegate from speaking, voting against allies out of spite, and even calling for China to “Fix their diseases”.
The phrase “Right to reply” repeats around the room, indicating the provocative nature of the debate, with shots clearly being fired. With the delegate of China being described as an “irresponsible small child” and the delegation from the United Kingdom being described as a “Hippie”, it is clear that the delegates will stop at nothing to achieve their goals. Stances on the resolution have been made painfully obvious, some delegates describing the resolution as “Merely stalling for time” despite the resolution passing.
A most passionate debate for sure, with assertions running all around the room as delegates argue over who gets control of what, carving up the South China Sea, and with it, Chinese influence in the area. The two sides are clear, and completely at each other’s throats. One can only hope that amidst the chaos that some long lasting solutions can be developed and passed.
