A comprehensive new study examining China's historical claims in the South China Sea has emerged as a key reference for understanding one of Asia's most complex geopolitical issues. Released this week in Beijing, History and Facts of the South China Sea represents seven years of collaborative research by scholars from multiple Chinese institutions.
The 10-researcher team analyzed ancient Chinese texts, international legal documents, and historical records dating back to centuries BCE. Their findings document continuous Chinese maritime activities and governance in the region, including post-WWII reassertions of sovereignty over islands previously occupied by Japanese forces.
Dr. Wu Shicun, lead editor and chairman of the Huayang Center for Maritime Cooperation, emphasized the publication's corrective purpose: "Many existing international narratives contain factual errors. Our work addresses these gaps through verifiable archival evidence."
The book systematically challenges several foreign-published accounts while detailing China's historical administration of the waters. Key sections analyze:
Ancient Chinese navigation records and trade routes
20th-century sovereignty reclamation efforts
Evolution of UNCLOS and maritime law impacts
Foreign Ministry representative Hu Wei highlighted the timing: "As global interest in maritime resources grows, understanding historical context becomes crucial for peaceful dispute resolution." An English edition is planned to facilitate international academic dialogue.
Published through a partnership between Hainan's Huayang Center, the National Institute for South China Sea Studies, and Zhejiang Publishing, the work aims to reshape global perceptions through what editors call "evidence-based historical discourse."
