The Youth Association of International Affairs (YAIA), which is affiliated with the University of Macau Postgraduate Association, recently organised a mock international negotiation on the sovereignty of the South China Sea at the University of Macau (UM). Over 50 students from UM, Macau University of Science and Technology, and the University of Saint Joseph participated in the two-day mock negotiation, posing as representatives from different countries and organisations that have claimed sovereignty of the South China Sea, under the guidance of Prof Shive and Prof Sheldon from the Chinese University of Hong Kong as well as the retired US diplomat Holbrook. Six UM students from the Department of Government and Public Administration posed as representatives of Malaysia, Brunei, the Republic of the Philippines, China, Japan and a fisheries management organisation. In the end participants drew up a resolution in which they reached consensus on five issues, namely sovereignty dispute, the military relations between different countries, exploitation of resources, maritime commerce, and environmental protection. Participants said that they gained a great deal from the activity and realised the importance of private, non-formal interaction in negotiation, the complexity and fluidity of the South China Sea issue, and the difficult situation China is in. They also mentioned the added bonus of having made a lot of new friends.

Should you have any inquiries about the press release, please feel free to contact Ms. Veronica Tang at（853）8397 4323 or prs.media@um.edu.mo or visit UM webpage www.umac.mo.