November 4-5 witnessed the resurgence of offline competitions as the 2023 China International Law of the Sea Moot Court Competition (English), organized by the China Society of the Law of the Sea (CSLOS) and Wuhan University China Institute of Boundary and Ocean Studies (CIBOS), unfolded at Wuhan University. CUPL's delegation triumphed over 39 teams from domestic and international universities, securing the national championship for the second consecutive year and claiming all individual awards.
Triumph in a Resumed Offline Battle
After a hiatus due to the pandemic, the competition marked a momentous return to offline matches. After a rigorous initial written submission round, the competition saw the emergence of representative teams from 16 universities, each earning the opportunity to advance to the second stage of the oral competition. These universities included prestigious institutions such as China University of Political Science and Law, Southwest University of Political Science and Law, Xiamen University, Nankai University, Shandong University, Ocean University of China, Hainan University, Beijing Foreign Studies University, University of International Relations, among others.
Stellar Performances and Individual Accolades
Following two days of intense competition, CUPL's delegation not only retained the national championship but also secured all individual awards. Li Yijia, an undergraduate student from the School of International Law, was recognized as the Best Speaker for both the applicant and respondent sides. The team's comprehensive understanding of international maritime law, eloquent English expressions, and adept courtroom etiquette garnered unanimous praise from the judges.
(Group photo: Liu Bingyu, Zou Yijia,Wang Yulin,Li Peizhen, Li Yijia, Zhu Qi, Li Yanran)
The CUPL delegation, under the guidance of Associate Professor Liu Bingyu from the School of International Law, consisted of the following members:
Li Peizhen (Graduate student, Class of 2023, School of International Law)
Zhu Qi (Undergraduate student, Class of 2019, School of Law)
Li Yijia (Undergraduate student, Class of 2020, School of International Law)
Li Yanran (Undergraduate student, Class of 2021, School of International Law)
Wang Yulin (Undergraduate student, Class of 2021, School of International Law)
Zou Yijia (Undergraduate student, Class of 2021, School of Civil, Commercial, and Economic Law)
Among them, Li Yijia received the titles of Best Speaker for the Applicant and Best Speaker for the Respondent.
(CUPL Team and Gao Zhiguo, a CUPL Graduate of the 1983 Class and a Former ITLOS Judge )
The China International Law of the Sea Moot Court Competition stands out as the world's pioneering English-language international maritime law moot court event. It replicates the proceedings of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) and adopts English as the competition language. Esteemed judges from the ITLOS, high-ranking officials from relevant national departments, and renowned experts and scholars from both domestic and international arenas are invited to serve as judges for the competition.
The cases presented in this competition delve into cutting-edge legal issues within international maritime law, including the jurisdiction and admissibility of the ITLOS, national responsibility concerning climate change, marine environmental protection, sea level rise and baseline changes, and national guarantee responsibilities for seabed exploration. Participants are tasked with analyzing and applying essential provisions of international conventions such as the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the Kyoto Protocol, the Paris Agreement, and principles of general international law. These cases are complex, involving numerous legal provisions and demanding a high level of proficiency in legal analysis, logical reasoning, and knowledge of relevant international law.
Confronted with intricate legal issues, the CUPL delegation has demonstrated unity, collaboration, and meticulous preparation. The team engaged in comprehensive research on pertinent legal issues, drafted complaints based on relevant precedents and authoritative perspectives, and underwent rigorous training in preparation for the oral argument phase of the competition.
The competition unfolds in three stages: the preliminary rounds, semi-finals, and finals. During the preliminary rounds, our university's delegation competes alongside other teams. After several rounds of intense competition, they emerge as the top performers in the preliminary rounds, securing the first position and advancing to the semi-finals. In the subsequent semi-final and final rounds, the CUPL delegation demonstrates growing prowess, earning unanimous praise from the judges. Their commendable performance is attributed to a solid legal foundation, adaptive on-the-spot responses, fluent English expressions, and appropriate courtroom etiquette. The culmination of their efforts results in the ultimate achievement of winning the championship.
(At the Finals)
Acknowledgment and Future Significance
The success in this competition was made possible through the strong support of CUPL's Academic Affairs Office and the School of International Law. The contributions from former participants also played a crucial role. The outstanding performance of the participating team members not only showcased the excellence of CUPL's delegation but also highlighted the remarkable achievements in the cultivation of international legal talent at our university.
This competition has played a significant role in raising awareness among domestic and international university students regarding issues related to maritime rights in the context of climate change. It contributes to the promotion of maritime law knowledge, the selection of talents for resolving maritime law disputes, and the enhancement of professional training for experts in Chinese maritime law and foreign legal matters.
