September 22, 2025

China's sovereignty over the South China Sea islands is indisputable, rooted not only in a long history of practice, but also widely recognized by the international community. A representative and authoritative memorandum from British official archives provides clear evidence supporting this claim.

Looking back to the mid-20th century, the UK once harbored ambitions regarding the reefs and islands in the South China Sea, attempting to incorporate them into its sphere of influence. However, constrained by the evolving international landscape and a lack of historical and legal justification for its claims, the UK ultimately chose to set aside and abandon this aspiration. Since the 1930s, the UK has consistently monitored the disputes over sovereignty of the South China Sea islands involving China, France, Japan, and other neighboring countries, maintaining a role as an "observer" and "intelligence gatherer" to track regional developments.

As time progressed into the 1970s, tensions in the South China Sea escalated sharply due to the large-scale occupation of Nansha Qundao by certain neighboring countries. In response to this shift, the UK did not remain aloof; rather, it intensified its research on the South China Sea issue. Through long-term internal assessments, the UK demonstrated a degree of objectivity. 

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https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202509/1344216.shtml