For Europe, strong statements on the South China Sea and Taiwan carry risks

For Europe, strong statements on the South China Sea and Taiwan carry risks

Chinese academics at a recent symposium in Guangzhou said the Philippines’ northernmost province of Batanes is a “natural extension” of Taiwan and therefore belongs to China. The event, held by Jinan University and attended by researchers from the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, has angered officials in Manila. Maritime watchdog SeaLight called the move part of a “lawfare” strategy – supposedly using legal and academic arguments to push Chin…