China Builds Artificial Islands in the South China Sea

http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2014-06-19/china-builds-artificial-islands-in-south-china-sea#r=read

by heydenberk • 12 years ago

23 7 12 years ago

mpyne2• 12 years ago

This is an interesting move for China, and more than simply because it could put an airstrip on the new island eventually. International law treats islands differently from mere rocks and shoals.

By creating a new island, China could plausibly create a new bubble of Chinese sovereignty where none previously existed to help with the rest of its claims in the South China Sea.

It's all a very aggressive kind of diplomacy, something which the Chinese themselves liken back to American "Monroe Doctrine" activities in the Caribbean during the mid to late 19th century. I hope it doesn't take the Chinese as long America did to figure out that regional hegemony can be more effectively achieved by not trying to redraw lines of sovereignty and thereby inflaming nationalism.

heydenberk• 12 years ago

When citing the Monroe doctrine, people tend to forget the Spanish-American war, which was its most significant outcome.

It's also interesting to wonder how the Chinese would respond if Taiwan started manufacturing land further south. I can't imagine it'd go over well.

lukevdp• 12 years ago

Doesn't China claim Taiwan already? (Honest question)

pnhoang• 12 years ago

Evidence of the China's massacre in Spratly's islands to take over the control of the entire islands. real footage from both the Chinese and Vietnamese media in English. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uy2ZrFphSmc

China Builds Artificial Islands in the South China Sea

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