Posted on 10/24/2022 4:18:57 PM PDT by Zhang Fei
A Limitless Friendship That Has Boundary Issues:
In the runup to Russia’s debacle in Ukraine, China and Russia declared a friendship “without limits.” But both countries know that friendship agreements are fragile things. Less than two decades after China and the Soviet Union signed their last friendship treaty, the two countries engaged in a sharp series of border fights. Expansion-minded Chinese nationalists, coupled with China’s increasing and barely concealed contempt for Russian weakness, have the power to erode Russia and China’s current rapprochement in a matter of moments.
The foundations for conflict are deep. China and Russia have bickered and battled over their shared border for centuries, while “official” resolution, such as it is, only came in 2008. For a centuries-old border conflict that predates the official existence of both nations, China could easily overturn current agreements, demanding that Russia return Vladivostok as well as some 23,000 square miles of former Chinese territory Russia has held since 1860.
Despite agreements stating that all outstanding issues are settled, China keeps all of its expansionist-minded options open. China still quietly nurtures simmering grievances. Vladivostok, Russia’s military and commercial gateway to the Pacific, is still described in China by the city’s old Chinese name, Haishenwai, or “sea cucumber bay”. Chinese resentment over the centuries old agreements that established China’s northern frontier remains a society-wide staple.
The foundation for a northern territorial claim—albeit a flimsy one—to an even wider swath of Russia’s far East territories exist. Chinese historic records suggest Chinese explorers reached the Arctic during the Tang Dynasty—if not before—allowing China to chip away at Russia’s territorial legitimacy. Even if the claims might be extravagant, the mental gymnastics would be worthwhile. Getting a foothold—any foothold—north of the Arctic circle allows China to formally claim status as an Arctic—if not a Polar—power.
(Excerpt) Read more at forbes.com ...
Ukraine ping
Fishing in troubled waters is what conquerors have done throughout history, even with respect to supposed allies, when the opportunity presented itself. A Russia with a conventional force severely weakened by its Ukrainian adventure may be vulnerable to Chinese moves along its long common frontier.
While any excuse will do, the Chinese claim would rest on the fact that the Manchus who conquered China ruled over an area that incorporates a good chunk of the Russian Far East.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Outer_Manchuria
The Russian empire’s advances in the region resulted in a treaty that stripped the Chinese empire of these landholdings. In the Chinese cosmology, all treaties that diminished the Chinese empire’s holdings were by definition “unequal” (i.e. illegitimate) treaties to be reversed through implicit or explicit physical coercion when the opportunity presented itself.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unequal_treaty#Mongolia,_China,_and_Russia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Treaty_of_Aigun
I wouldn’t be surprised.
“It’s ok, xi. Go ahead and mess with Russia. We won’t say or do anything, but don’t attack Taiwan until later.”
~Jojo’s puppet masters.
I am highly skeptical of that analysis
I almost would prefer it, but I think China will (try to) take Taiwan first.
If they fight Russia first, they will put the world on further notice.
And they might just screw it up.
Yuo mean they will serve Moo Goo Gai Pan on the Trans Siberia Express all the way to Vladivistok?
Hong Kong-based investment group Integrated Whale Media Investments purchased a 51 percent majority of the [Forbes] company.
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Nice bit of sleuthing.
“I am highly skeptical of that analysis”
Me too. Why would China create an enemy behind them before they go after Taiwan?
Here’s a fun one.
[Yuo mean they will serve Moo Goo Gai Pan on the Trans Siberia Express all the way to Vladivistok?]
>>“I am highly skeptical of that analysis”<<
Yea, I think this analysis is a crock of crap. China cares a whole lot more about Taiwan than Eastern Russia.
Neocons have the most bizarre wet dreams.
In his dreams....
Ain’t gonna happen.
I really doubt this.
Oh no, not another country’s sovereignty threatened. Dang, now we’ll have to defend Russia while fighting her. Because this is all against international law, don’t you know.
If there is great crab Rangoon, sign me up.
Short of nukes there wouldn’t be much Russia could do at this point to stop China.
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