英语课堂演讲presentation范例 - 西兰公国 The Principality of

英语课堂演讲presentation范例 - 西兰公国 The Principality of Sealand世界上最小的国家

The Principality of Sealand

Good morning, everyone.

Today, I will introduce you to a famous micronation. The Principality of Sealand, locating in the Southeast off the coast of England, occupied the Roughs Tower with an area less than a football field. "Sealand" can be always found in the headlines over European countries during the past 40 years.

During World War II, British Royal Navy constructed the Roughs Tower for observing the enemy. Standing on a sunken barge, the tower became a micro fort. And the fort was abandoned after the war.

On September 2, 1967, the Fort was occupied by former Major Paddy Roy Bates, who claimed sovereignty on the basis of his interpretation of international law. Paddy Roy Bates conferred King of Sealand on himself, with his wife as a queen and his son as a prince. The country was established.

After that, the King sent official letters to most European country’s Foreign Affairs Ministry except the United Kingdom. And none of the countries raise an objection.

In 1968, British Royal Navy entered territorial waters of The Principality of Sealand. The Prince tried to scare the navy off by firing warning shots. As the King, Paddy Roy Bates, was still a British citizen at the time, he was summoned to court in England following the incident. The court ruled in Bates' favor that Sealand was outside British domination as it was beyond the three-mile limit of the country's waters

In 1975, Sealand introduced a constitution, followed by a flag, an emblem, passport, a currency and a series of stamps. Collectors scramble for the coins and stamps because they are quite few.

英语课堂演讲presentation范例 - 西兰公国 The Principality of Sealand世界上最小的国家

So far, nearly 300 people holds Sealand's passport legally, and many European countries, including the UK, recognize its validity, while there are more than 200,000 fake passports circulated over the world and involved in lots of criminal cases.

In 1978, while Bates was away, the Prime Minister of Sealand, and several German and Dutch citizens staged a forcible takeover of Roughs Tower. Bates started armed assistance and, in a helicopter assault, took his country back.

Then he captured the invaders. Most participants in the invasion were released, with the help of the government of Germany and Netherlands. But one German, the Prime Minister of Sealand was charged with treason against Sealand, because he held a Sealand passport.

Finally he was rescued after negotiations during several weeks between Germany and Sealand.

Following his repatriation, the Former Prime Minister of Sealand established a "government in exile" in Germany, in opposition to Roy Bates, claims that he is Sealand's legitimate ruling authority.

Sealand's claims to legitimacy are not recognized by any country, but it is sometimes cited in debates as an interesting case study of how various principles of international law can be applied to a territorial dispute.

There are still much interesting things about Sealand. You can refer to “baidu” or type the Sealand’s official web site on Internet Explorer to learn more.

In the end, there is a short piece of video for you.

That’s all. Thank you.