China Aims to Expand Territory by Distorting History

China Aims to Expand Territory by Distorting History China Aims to Expand Territory by Distorting History

[Korea Times 2004-08-18 17:34]

By Kim Rahn Staff Reporter

China’s distortion of Koguryo’s history is aimed at claiming territory currently belonging to North Korea in the event of the unification of the Korean peninsula, an Internet user claimed on his Web site, citing a Chinese professor. The site also argued that Beijing is plotting to make Pyongyang a local government by misrepresenting history.Despite a lack of evidence, the story is spreading rapidly among Korean Internet users.

The unidentified site operator said he studied history in Beijing University, his claims being based on a lecture he attended at the university last year.

The Internet user claimed the professor, whose identity was not given, said that China’s attempt to claim Koguryo’s history is a politically motivated move to prepare for the collapse of North Korea andpossible reunification.The professor reportedly said Kim Jong-il’s regime will be overthrown within 10 years by a coup led by army generals affiliated with China, and the rebels may depend on China’s military power to maintain order.``China will be able to federalize some regions of North Korea by supporting the new regime, attaching them to local Chinese governmentin the end,’’ the professor is quoted as saying.

He went on to say, ``After the North Korean regime collapses, a dispute with South Korea over territory will be inevitable. However, ifthe issue is taken to an international court, China may lose the case as the two Koreas have a long shared history.’’To that end, the Chinese government is mapping out a long-term strategy, claiming ancient kingdoms established in Manchuria to secure historical support, the professor said.``The Chinese government is supporting academia due to its ambitions. If you history majors make more efforts on the issue, the country’s territory will extend to the current border between South Korea and North Korea in 30 years,’’ the professor was quoted as saying.Chinese history scholars have engaged upon a study called the East-North Project since 2002, trying to incorporate Koguryo into its ownhistory.

China has made no secret of its ambitions after a number of Koguryorelics, such as tombs and castles in China and North Korea, were listed with UNESCO’s World Cultural Heritage last month. China’s state-run Xinhua News Agency reported the relics are important parts ofChina’s history.

Summary

An Internet user claimed on his Web site, citing a Chinese professor. "China’s distortion of Koguryo’s history is politically motivated."

He said that China’s attempt to claim Koguryo’s history is a political move to prepare for the collapse of North Korea and possible reunification.

After the North Korean regime collapses, a dispute with South Korea over territory will be inevitable. However, if the issue is taken to an international court, China may lose the case as the two Koreas have a long shared history.

To that end, the Chinese government is mapping out a long-term strategy, claiming ancient kingdoms established in Manchuria to secure historical support. The Chinese government is supporting academia due to its ambitions.

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