Huangyan Island (Photo : YouTube)
The disputed islands on the South China Sea will remain a thorny issue between China and its Asian neighbors.
China Daily reported that a more than 600-year-old handwritten book owned by Su Chengfen, a former fishing vessel captain, is proof that China owns Huangyan Island. The book depicts routes to different remote islands coming from Hainan Province.
Zhou Weimin, retired professor at Hainan University, pointed out that the book treasured by Su depicts the exact route to Huangyan Island. He said it is a clear proof that generations of Chinese fishermen have worked on the island.
Handwritten books, like those held by Su, are called genglubu which refers to various editions of ancient books that recorded sailing routes in the South China Sea. Zhou studied those books and wrote “An Arcane Book About the South China Sea,” published in 2015.
The book originally came from Su’s grandfather who passed it on to his father who was a boat captain when he was 23 years old.
Commenting on Su’s book, Gao Zhiguo, director of the China Institute for Marine Development Strategy, said, “One book on genglubu beats a thousand words. It is ironclad proof … We can deduce China’s historic fishing and sailing rights in the South China Sea, as well as ownership.”
The island was included among 132 islands, reefs and beaches in the South China Sea that a Chinese government committee tasked to examine the country’s land and water atlas listed as part of Zhongsha Islands which China insisted belongs to the country.
However, in late April, Philippine fishing boats fished in the area which were driven away by Chinese patrol boats, reported Shanghai Daily. But the Philippine government disputes the claim of ownership of some islands and have elevated to issue to an international court to which China refuses to submit.
