Watching China lay claim to territory in the South and East China Seas and on the Indian border resembles a fat man at the buffet table declaring that everything from the roast beef over to the chocolate éclairs is his. Now China is setting its sights on the Arctic – declaring itself a “near Arctic state.”
A Western observer who has spent several decades in the People’s Republic of China but wishes to remain unnamed by Asia Times, believes China’s claim with regard to the Arctic is the chance for the world to say: “NO, you are not a near Arctic state. Rather, you are a state proclaiming its interest in the Arctic. Your rationale is militarily and economically motivated, not geographical.”
China uses false geographical claims over and over again to justify its expansive national interests. The observer adds that there is no legal or international definition of “near Arctic state.” China is the sole author. It is attempting to convince others to accept the term.
The “near Arctic” phrase, since it was first uttered about five or six years ago, is a classic example of how China builds concepts, principles, vocabulary and justification for pursuing its interests.
Step 1: A term appears in an obscure Chinese academic journal. Measure responses and continue…
Step 2: Term appears in a regional Chinese newspaper. Measure responses and continue…
Step 3: Term is used at a Chinese national conference or seminar. Measure responses and continue…
Step 4: Term is used in Xinhua and China Daily articles. Measure responses and continue…
Step 5: Term is used at international conference(s) and academic exchanges held in China. Measure responses and continue…
Step 6: China frequently refers to the term in international media, and at international conferences. Measure acceptance and continue…
Step 7: China issues policy white paper stating its position, its implied right, and an implied threat to ‘defend’ its rights
Professor June Teufel Dreyer of the University of Miami adds another step:
Step 8: China maintains this has ‘always’ been China’s policy: nothing has changed. (Translation: Get used to it, barbarians.)
The above-mentioned Western observer explains that it all usually starts with the discovery of ‘ancient’ maps, admirals’ ‘journals,’ ‘artifacts’ being dug up, and so on. And Professor Teufel Dreyer theorizes, only half tongue-in-cheek, that: “Somewhere in the bowels of Zhongnanhai is an office marked ‘Department of New Ancient Documents.’ Inside are calligrapher scribes with stacks of paper chemically identical to whatever dynasty’s claim is to be ‘re-asserted,’ and authentically reproduced brushes and ink. Churning out definitive proof of whatever.”
The Western observer notes that ‘near Arctic’ did not follow this path, however, suggesting that China’s leadership thinks it can shortcut the process. That may be so – given the country’s success in establishing de facto control over the South China Sea in the last several years.
Why, it’s even possible that Beijing might claim the Native Americans got to America second. The Western observer remarks that China is currently building the case for having had a historical presence in Alaska. The ‘near Arctic’ campaign has its own objectives but also serves as a runway toward claiming historical, cultural and civilizational ‘contributions’ to our 49th state and beyond.
He explains how a look at the world map highlights the audaciousness, if not the absurdity, of Chinese arguments. China’s northernmost land point is Mohe County, 53/29 North. By implication, other ‘near-Arctic’ cities within a degree or two of 53 N, are: Dublin, Ireland; Liverpool, England; Calais, France; Amsterdam, Netherland; Frankfurt, German; Prague, Czech Republic; Warsaw, Poland; Kiev, Ukraine.
Once China is done with the Arctic region, the Western observer says he anticipates the first mentions of China as a “near-Antarctica state.” Professor Teufel Dreyer, meanwhile, expects “proof,” some day, that Admiral Zheng He arrived in Antarctica before the penguins. “Or perhaps that the penguins, given their similar color, evolved from pandas who arrived in Antarctica over a now-disappeared land bridge (from China).”
As is par for the course, while the PRC insinuates itself into the Arctic region, to which it has as compelling a claim as Iraq, Morocco or the Philippines, it loudly warns the United States to keep its nose out of the South China Sea, since it is far from US territory.
If one doesn’t mind a little hypocrisy, such claims and concrete efforts to occupy territory that isn’t one’s own may well succeed. But only if they go unchallenged. ‘Real’ Arctic nations are worried about what the PRC is doing – but they aren’t likely to complain. China won’t listen much, anyway – except perhaps to President Xi’s friend, Vladimir Putin. But Putin still reckons he has something to gain from cozying up
to China.
As usual, it’s down to the United States. So, Mr Trump, if you’ll happily take on Jay-Z, perhaps a word about China, the Arctic and other parts of the buffet table as well?
Newsham is a rabid anti-China ideologue bent on viewing any statements and issues from China in a negative light and magnified to the 10th degree inferring motivations and intentions that only he can imagine. Of course everything the US does is right after bombing and destroying countless countries and killing millions.
Does he know that Singapore, India, Japan, and Republic of Korea, all have Arctic Policies ? I suppose he would wish these countries to be excluded from the Arctic since they are not near Arctic as he would wish China to be excluded.
Of course he would welcome these countries except China since they are on the side of the US.
Russia, the principal stakeholder in the Arctic, discussed the participation of China and the above countries in Arctic affairs in a calm and balanced manner accepting their rights to do so because the Arctic is : " the commons."
Just google : " D REPORT " and " India and the Arctic: Beyond Kiruna- Indian Council of World Affairs."
No wonder Russia is having so much problems with the US with characters similar to this hysterical Newsham occupying the deep state.
Calm down people, had I known my seemingly innocent comment would trigger such brawl here… i would have done it sooner.
Saudi boot-licker!
So, this comment section is also overrun by zombie wumaos. CCP shenanigans at it again
Francis Chow People like you needs to be kick out of West before we even kick China.
Running dog of Nippon
The problem with the author’s closing statement is that the current US Administration is educated by Fox News. As a result President Trump believes that the Arctic ice is not melting and thus the opening of the N.E. & N.W. passages are not an imminent concern to the US. However, Russia, China, & even India didn’t get the memo as far as ice breakers are concerned. They probably are too busy studying polar satellite maps and calculating great circle routes for maritime and aviation trade. OK, maybe China is stretching it’s geographic proximity to the pole, but don’t expect much from Mr. Trump if he has his head up his proverbial arse.
The author: Granting Newshame to the Anglos
Absurd. China is simply interested in a shortcut to Northern Europe.
Crazy French. Don’t they realize the Pacific is an American lake ?
He veered off on a tangent showing his prepossession
"Watching China lay claim to territory in the South and East China Seas and on the Indian border resembles a fat man at the buffet table declaring that everything from the roast beef over to the chocolate éclairs is his. "
Never was there a statement more laden with white man’s hypocrisy.
Grant Newsham getting hot under the collar. Newsham, being a member of the ‘Exceptional’ class can’t help but be apoplectic over a Chinese plan to take advantage of changing circumstances. Like how Tillerson was quoted as saying China was not to be allowed to remain in the islands of the South China Sea. Tough luck, guys. The world is changing, and your very ‘Exceptional’ country will before long become an also-ran nation.
James Greaves One day the commies will pull a "supposedly historical" maps out of rear end and start claiming it belonged to them historically. And over a period of time, their commie agents will repeat the story so many times that in about 50 years from now, people will start believing them. Now is the time to stop appeasing them.
James Greaves
the Chinese have claimed paracel islands and scarborough since the establishment of PRC. But they just didn’t strongly act on its claim until Philippine, at the provocation of the US, started to block Chinese fishermen from fishing on Scarborough even though fishermen from both countries have freely caught fish there since ancient time. So yeah, don’t worry about China claiming Arctic. I’m more worried that the US will claim there is WMD in arctic, thus all countries mustn’t go there.
That is rich coming from American whose country claim all seas in the world as its backyard. It is like Sheriff Nottingham said Robin Hood is the bigger thief. At least China didn’t claim Arctic as its own sea. Funny too, for American who claim the important of freedom of navigation, the Americans hell bent on preventing Chinese ships from sailing to Arctic. Don’t tell me the Americans also think Arctic belong solely to the God Chosen United States Of AMERICA.
"China has not made any sovereignty claim on anywhere near the Arctic" you say? Give it time! This is the thin end of the wedge: just as with the paracel islands and scarborough reefs and shoals.
Shameless ,China has not made any sovereignty claim on anywhere near the Arctic. it is however interested, in cooperation with Russia, for a sea trade route to Europe .
This self righteous guy gots nothing to tell except misinformation and his twisted dream. Think he ate too much sushi and sashimi.
Newsham hamming it up again, and near hyperventilating, on China. Explain to us how the French are a Pacific nation with the biggest territorial claim of any nation there? Explain to us also how the US has a base in the Indian Ocean in Diego Garcia? As do the French, with a few other islands? The UK in Malvinas, por favor? Read Hawaii’s history much?