🌊The South China Sea dispute started with the French taking Chinese islands in the 1930s.
📜Archival records reveal that the islands were acknowledged as Chinese by French and British officials.
🔍A consensus among international lawyers emerged that the islands belonged to China.
🔄The official position of the UK and France is now neutral, despite their historical recognition of Chinese sovereignty.
🌐The controversy highlights the difference between legal facts and historical records.
When did the South China Sea dispute begin?
—The dispute began in the 1930s with the French seizure of Chinese islands.
What do archival records reveal about the ownership of the islands?
—Archival records show that French and British officials recognized the islands as Chinese.
What was the consensus among international lawyers?
—International lawyers agreed that the islands belonged to China.
What is the official position of the UK and France?
—Despite their historical recognition, the UK and France now maintain a neutral stance on the dispute.
What does the controversy highlight?
—The controversy highlights the distinction between legal facts and historical records.
00:00The South China Sea dispute began with the French seizure of Chinese islands in the 1930s.
13:00Archival records show that French and British officials recognized the islands as Chinese.
14:00International lawyers agreed that the islands belonged to China.
14:50Despite historical recognition, the UK and France now maintain a neutral stance on the dispute.
