The Spratly Islands have been off the agenda here since June 2016. On Thursday evening Humphrey Hawksley’s Asian Waters was launched in London.
There are two things to make clear. First I didn’t’ know what I was talking about two years ago and Humphrey does know his stuff. His book puts China’s place in the world order in context. What seemed to me like sabre-rattling in 2016 is actually an economically powerful, and increasingly so, nation protecting itself. China has appropriated lots of tiny uninhabited islands in the South China Sea and is turning them into military bases. At least I think so, because I heard him speak at the book launch, but haven’t read his book yet. The Philippines, Indonesia and Vietnam think they have a better claim to these atolls. The fact of the matter is that China is going to protect itself and it is a great deal better that it does it peacefully now rather than when another power treads on its toes. Although I haven’t yet read Asian Waters, others have.
Joanie, Mrs Humphrey Hawksley recommends a good Szechuan restaurant near Brook Green. I will investigate.