China has remained focused on reclaiming what was once their territory on the Asian mainland.
I don't recall the name change news but noted the revived territorial claim:
Earlier in 2023, China’s Ministry of Natural Resources ordered that new maps must use the former Chinese names of its lost territories in what is now Russia’s Far East. Vladivostok, home to Russia’s Pacific fleet headquarters, became Haishenwai; Sakhalin Island became Kuyedao. Then in late August, the ministry released a map that showed the disputed Russian territory of Bolshoi Ussuriysky Island within China’s borders.
I've long ridiculed Russia's pointless hostility toward NATO while the China threat to Russia and America grows.
As much as I want to stop Russia in Europe, I do not want Russia to break up while doing that because I'd rather have China focused inland to compel Russia to contain China.
Sadly for Russia, Putin's decision to destroy Ukraine is preventing Russia from pivoting to Asia with a friendly NATO in their European rear. I mean, it's not like Russia has been ignorant of the strategic situation. But Russia thought it would get a short and glorious war that wouldn't bother the West very much after the initial show of outrage.
While many writers say China has ended its claims on Russia, that isn't quite true. China suspended its claims in a the treaty that expires. When the treaty ends the claims snap back.
The author of a book reviewed here says that despite friction, the two have never fought a major war. But Russia sure did take a lot of Chinese land in the 19th century without a major war, eh? Does China think that is no big deal? I don't know because the review simply says Russia and China respect their common border.
Really? China is obsessed with reclaiming land lost in the Century of Humiliation yet Russia is exempt from their objectives?
It's interesting that China unveiled those map changes just as Russia got bogged down in Ukraine. Truly, Putin has a strange way of bringing glory to Russia.
NOTE: TDR Winter War of 2022 coverage continues here.
NOTE: I'm adding updates on the Last Hamas War in this post.
