By: Reid Davidson & Nathan Neville
The South China Sea is a staple of international trade, agriculture, and security. The South China Sea contains an area of over 3.5 million square kilometers, making it a significant trade route, resulting in half of global shipping passing through these waters. In the year 2016 alone, 3.4 trillion goods passed through the sea. Additionally, the South China Sea feeds millions of people who earn a livelihood based on its rich marine resources to survive, and 8 percent of the world's commercial fishery production. The area is also known for its extensive fossil fuel deposits, with immense petroleum and natural gas reserves. As critical as it is, the South China Sea finds itself at the center of strained border conflicts, most notably with China, which tends to oppose neighboring states such as Taiwan, Vietnam, and the Philippines. It is vital to promoting peace and stability within the region of the South China Sea as it is the backbone of world economic security and international peace.
The Holistic Action of the Watch and Knowing (HAWK Tuah) bill was brought forward to hasten the demilitarization of the South China Sea by appealing to China to withdraw its military personnel from the region. This bill was a reaction to growing safety issues raised across the UN, signaling the need for established rules regarding military presence in these waters. The bill seeks to supplement the UN's broader agenda of deterring rule-breaking and fostering peaceful relations among nations. All member nations of the United Nations would finance the law and surveillance of the sea would be conducted by spy drones to ensure that there would be no military presence. Violating states, such as China, would be prohibited for a year from engaging in any form of trade within the South China Sea. Some nations such as Korea and Panama were apprehensive about the security risks involved in employing surveillance drones, while China was worried about sovereignty in the region. Greece supported the bill, however, agreeing that demilitarization would have a positive impact on international relations. A UK amendment also clarified the consequences of military occupation, including trade sanctions and withdrawal of United Nations funding, making it more feasible to enact the bill’s objectives.
After the United States sent the HAWK Tuah Bill for international consultation, President Donald Trump expressed his individual opinions, eager to make it clear he wasn't on the line for China's economy. He argued that overall, this issue was not something the United States was concerned with. The United States will not be providing help with any of the financial problems of the Hawk Tuah Bill. President Trump wasn't afraid to express his dislike for China. Trump went on to say that he spoke for all the other countries as well. Shortly after, a South Chinese Sea native complained to President Trump. The native who works as an independent fisherman, complained about the recent problems of monitoring and too much traffic steering the fish in the wrong direction. That is how the fisherman makes a living and supports his family. President Trump again was quick to give his take. President Trump stated, "It's not my responsibility." Since Trump intervened in the bill's discussions, the US has witnessed the US being pulled out of this war.
To seal the introduction and verdict of this bill by the majority of other countries, the HAWK Tuah bill was passed by the majority of United Nations member states. This bill ensures the demilitarization of the South China Sea and further strengthens the economic stability of border communities in the South China Sea.