150066 VU 'FOCUS International Relations': VU Strategic Gaming: The South China Sea Conflict (2015S)

In the South China Sea, China, Taiwan, Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia and Brunei dispute about overlapping territorial claims. Being supposedly rich in oil and gas resources as well as minerals and fish, these nations claim islands, reefs and rocks in order to extent their 200 nautical miles zone. Most claims, though, are legally and politically contested. Despite the aim of ASEAN and China to draft a Code of Conduct the disputes are far from being resolved, not at least because of China´s preference for bilateral negotiations and its allegedly assertive behavior. As the South China Sea is a globally important sea line of communication, externals actors such as the US, India and the EU have a strategic interest in maritime security, further complicating the overall security situation.

This course takes place as a strategic game. A strategic game simulates a real-world scenario in a controlled setting. Simulating a complex conflict from the realm of international relations, participants form groups representing states or organizations. Groups simulate the role of their respective actor and interact with other actors with the aim of fulfilling a set of objectives utilizing a certain range of means. Interaction of actors is based on a fictional plot distributed to students before game day.

Day 1: During the first day, students will get practical information on strategic gaming as well as on the disputes in the South China Sea and negotiation skills.

Day 2 & 3: At the beginning of day 2, each group will first need to formulate certain targets and then define means of reaching these targets based on each actor's individual position in the conflict, the overall strategic situation in East Asia and the scenario drafted in the plot. Groups will then be able to enter into bi- and multilateral negotiations in order to then negotiate a common agreement at the Asian Regional Forum (ARF) meeting (taking place on both game days). Actors do not necessarily need to agree on a common solution, but rather continuously aim at enforcing their own interests.

Day 1 (March 2), 13:00-18:00: Introductory presentations: Strategic Gaming: Introduction and Plot (J.F. Loher), The South China Sea conflict (A. Gerstl), Strategic Thinking and Acting (R. Mitterhofer) and formation of groups

Day 2 (March 28): 09:00-17:00: Preparation in groups, bi- and multilateral negotiations (formal and informal), ARF meeting in the afternoon

Day 3 (March 29): 09:00-17:00: Evaluation of ARF meeting in groups, bi- and multilateral negotiations (formal and informal), final ARF meeting in the afternoon, feedback & evaluation.