These differing names, which also extend down to the hundreds of islands, reefs, and other features in the South China Sea, are not just semantic; they each advance a nationalist narrative and a historical claim.
fredag 4. oktober 2024
Edmund Lin: Why It’s Time to Rename the South China Sea
The South China Sea is a strategic and resource-rich body of water that is known by various names, reflecting the region’s multifaceted historical, cultural, and geopolitical connections. The English term, which is most commonly used to refer to the waterway, came about due to the European interests in these seas as a trading route from Europe to Asia and China. To the Chinese, it is often referred to as “Nanhai”, emphasizing its geographic position south of the Chinese mainland. For the Vietnamese, the sea is “Biển Đông” (Eastern Sea), signifying its location relative to Vietnam’s landmass. In recent times, the Philippines has referred to parts of the sea as the “West Philippine Sea,” asserting its sovereignty over parts of this contested area.
These differing names, which also extend down to the hundreds of islands, reefs, and other features in the South China Sea, are not just semantic; they each advance a nationalist narrative and a historical claim.
These differing names, which also extend down to the hundreds of islands, reefs, and other features in the South China Sea, are not just semantic; they each advance a nationalist narrative and a historical claim.
