The Narrative of Lost Territory: China avenging lost grounds

The US military reported that China test-fired at least one anti-ship missile from the artificial islands in the Kalayaan Islands (Spratlys), a part of the West Philippine Sea last July 4. The East Asian giant has been continually militarizing and damaging the reefs belonging to the Philippine waters.

In an interview by Radyo Inquirer to Professor Rommel Banlaoi, a political scientist, he explained the two narratives that can explain the current behavior of China in the disputed region. The main reason is the long and overdue humiliation by Western powers.

“Tingin ng China, isang daang taon siyang pinahiya ng mga major powers.  ‘Yong Great Britain kinuha ang Hong Kong, ‘yong Macau kinuha ng Portugese, at ang Taiwan nahiwalay sa mainland, at ang South China Sea ay napabayaan,”

(“China felt like she was humiliated by different major powers for a century. Great Britain took hold of Hong Kong while the Portugese grabbed Macau. Taiwan was separated to the mainland, and the South China Sea was disregarded.)

Banlaoi noted that China has regained its power and capability to take what were once their territories—this is where the narrative of the lost territory comes into place.

The political scientist also explained that since China believes that the huge part of the West Philippine Sea belongs to them through the nine-dash line claim, it would insist on protecting it. China sees it as their internal water and it is their right to defend it by developing a military capability on the islands.

Aside from the missile testing, China also allegedly rammed and sank a Philippine boat and left 22 Filipino fishermen floating in the open sea at Recto Bank last June 14, 2019.