In 2014, Jane’s, the defence magazine, reported that China is building up South China Sea reefs with a view to turning them into air strips. The tribunal decision is the line drawn in the sand: Failing a walk-back by Beijing, it makes further equivocation nigh impossible. RelatedRelations between Taiwan and the People’s Republic of China have long been, to put it euphemistically, nuanced. Taiwan officially recognizes itself to be a non-independent part of China — albeit one with a separate government, parliamentary democracy, military and legal system. In a word, stalled — at least as far as a proffered China free trade deal is concerned.

Source: National Post July 12, 2016 15:56 UTC