The 2019 Sino International Law of the Sea Moot Court Competition (2019 SINO LOSMCC) was successfully held in Wuhan University on 2-3 November 2019. The competition was jointly organized by Chinese Society of the Law of the Sea and Wuhan University China Institute of Boundary and Ocean Studies, which is the first international moot court competition initiated in China as well as the first Law of the Sea moot court competition in the world. By simulating the case hearing procedure of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS), with reference to other international judicial procedures including international arbitration, it has become a moot court competition with the highest level of participation from universities within and beyond the country.

There are 25 teams representing domestic and foreign universities that had registered for the competition. Subsequent to a thorough review of their written submissions, a total of 16 teams, including China University of Political Science and Law, Xiamen University, University of Versailles in Paris, Thammasat University in Thailand, Wuhan University, Fudan University, etc. eventually entered the oral proceedings. After fierce competition, the team from China University of Political Science and Law won the championship, the team from Shanghai University of International Business and Economics took the second place, whereas the team from Tianjin Foreign Studies University and the team from Xiamen University shared the third place.

The moot case involves many frontier issues of international law and the law of the sea, such as the obligations under article 74 of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), the doctrine of unilateral acts, and the obligation to protect and preserve the marine environment of coastal states. These issues are directly related to friendly relationships between countries and the promotion of regional peace. The moot court competition has strengthened young students' knowledge on maritime issues, deepened their research and study on the law of the sea, and promoted scholarly exchange between young students at home and abroad in the field of the Law of the Sea. The Competition played a significant role in the cultivation of talents for the safeguard of international justice.

（The Judges）

Mr. Gao Zhiguo, the only Chinese judge of ITLOS, chaired the judging team. The panel of judges consists of two current judges of ITLOS (Mr. Gao Zhiguo from China and Mr. Kriangsak Kittichaisaree from Thailand) and more than 10 diplomats, experts, scholars and lawyers from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, State Oceanic Administration, domestic and foreign universities and research institutions with outstanding achievements in the field of international law and the law of the sea.

（Yu Minyou, dean of the Wuhan University China Institute of Boundary and Ocean Studies, presided over the opening ceremony）

（Judge Gao Zhiguo addressed the opening ceremony）

Mr. Li Fei，the Vice President of Wuhan University, attended the closing ceremony and the awards ceremony to congratulate the successful conclusion of the competition. Mr. Li said that the moot court competition did not only encourage students to conduct extensive research on the theory and practice of the relevant substantive and procedural obligations in the Law of the Sea, it also promoted friendly exchange between young students at home and abroad. At the same time, Mr. Li also expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the professional guidance rendered by the judges from home and abroad who participated in this competition; the earnest preparation of the Organizing Committee members; and the sincere efforts put in by the volunteers in making the Competition a success. He hoped that everyone could uphold the spirit of competition and make greater progress in their future study and research.

（Vice president Li Fei addressed the closing ceremony）

（At the scene of the final）

（Judge Kriangsak Kittichaisaree addressed the competition）

Judge Kriangsak Kittichaisaree gave a brief commentary regarding the performance of the participants in the competition on behalf of the judges. Judge Kittichaisaree advised that, when a judge asks a team member about his point of view, the team should invoke the law, and not just the details and the facts of the case at hand. Secondly, in the round of rebuttal and sur-rebuttal, the team members should seize these opportunities to address the gaps in the argument submitted by the other team in their statements, or to refute the other team’s submissions instead of making the final statement based solely on their own views. Finally, team members should pay attention to court etiquette, make appropriate eye contact with the judge, and control their facial expressions to maintain a serious and professional demeanour.

（Pierre Nosewicz from University of Versailles addressed the awarding ceremony）

Pierre Nosewicz, who represented the team of the University of Versailles, said he cherished the opportunity to participate in the competition. It had taught him how to think and analyze like a lawyer. He also met many judges with profound knowledge in the field, and professionally-trained representatives, who impressed him a lot. He also thanked Wuhan University, the Organizing Committee and the volunteers for their efforts and contributions in serving the competition and enhancing scholarly exchange in the field of the law of the sea.

（the Grand-final）

It is the golden autumn season here in Wuhan University, with the fragrance of Osmanthus lingering in the air. The 2019 Sino International Law of the Sea Moot Court Competition (2019 SINO LOSMCC) has come to a successful conclusion. The professional level of command of the English Language, and the eloquence of the language demonstrated by the contestants are impressive. The Law of the Sea Moot Court Competition is of great significance to the training of professionals in the Law of the Sea, and the dissemination of knowledge pertaining to the Law of the Sea. It has inspired the students to care about the ocean, to have a better understanding of the ocean and to devote themselves to vocations that are related to the ocean, the marine environment, and the Law of the Sea.

(Reporters：Xia Xinyue, Huang Wenqing；

Photos：Zhao Wei, Zhou Mi, Liu Bowen)