Chinese 'cow's tongue' is swallowing SE Asia fast
Maybe I have tunnel vision, but China's claim to 90 per cent of the South China Sea seems fragile, to say the least. First, we are told that ancient Chinese settlers visited the Spratly Islands and left some pots, discovered later by archaeologists.
On that basis, present-day Mongolia could claim the whole of Asia, since its armies once conquered virtually the entire continent.
Then we are told that a dubious 1947 map – drawn up even before the communist takeover of China – somehow justifies the “cow’s tongue” by which China will swallow a whole region. No wonder Beijing refuses to accept UN arbitration.
China’s intention is to control the sea routes of half the world’s trade, dominate her neighbours, curtail US interests in Asia and double its reserves of underwater oil and gas, not to mention fish stocks. Anyone who believes China’s propaganda – that it intends only to improve international rescue missions by building a couple of lighthouses and to investigate weather patterns for the benefit of all – has my sympathy. China will continue its de facto military control of the South China Sea until its bluff is properly called. It is already late in the day.
