Carlo G

The People's Republic of China claims that Chinese have already discovered the disputed Shoal (Scarborough Shoal) has a long history of Chinese fishing activity in the area since Yuan Dynasty. They claim to around 2/3 of the total area of the South China Sea as part of the "Nine-dotted line", which is an area believed to sit a vast mineral resources, including oil.

The Philippines claims that as early as Spanish colonization, Filipino fishermen were already using the area as a fishing ground and shelter. The shoal is 124 nautical miles from the Philippines. Several official Philippine maps published by Spain and United States in 18th and 20th centuries show Scarborough Shoal as part of Philippine territory. Given the shoal's close proximity to The Philippines, some say it is common sense that the shoal is within The Philippines territorial waters.

Taiwan, on the other hand, has stated that the shoal belongs to neither China or The Philippines. Taiwan claims that since they have a claim on mainland China, then the shoal should be part of their territory. Personally, I think that is a weak claim.


The question is whose historical claim is valid?




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Pacific_Victory

The Phillipines has the better claim by far.

spellbanisher

You are correct Pacific. Now tell that to fangqingming

I think I've already had this conversation

http://www.historum.com/current-even...china-sea.html

Pacific_Victory

We need to get Fang and Dagul in the same room and let them go at it...

Carlo G

I find it quite amusing that Taiwan is also claiming that area

dagul

The Geographical location speaks for itself that it is part of the Philippine archipelago. China became the territory of European powers and was occupied by Japan during WW2, so, how can it have a superior claim over the shoal assuming that during the Yuan Dynasty it assumed jurisdiction over it.

However, in international law might is right, so if China will wage war against the Philippines over that, they can take it anytime they want. Unfortunately, they are not the super power. So, U.S. of A. will do the tricks. I like the Visiting Forces Agreement, lol.

Fireatwill

I think China has a better claim because China being the mother civilization of the region and not to mention its economic center for thousands of years.

dagul

Let us wait for the father of the civilization to speak before jumping over the demands of the mother.

Fireatwill

Lets face it, China has been the center of Civilization for five thousand years, Philippians was civilized forcibly by the Spanish in 16th century.

If we go by way of historicism, China wins hands down.

dagul

Oh, that is wrong, the Philippines had underwent its own civilization long time ago being part of the Majapahit and Shri Vijaya empires. Only that Spain implemented western civilization by introducing Christianity to us and abolish those practices then like the caste system and slavery.

Like what I said assuming that since Yuan Dynasty, China had been in control over the territory they were occupied by the Europeans and by Japan and so the continuity of the jurisdiction shall terminate their acquisitive rights over the area.