The Legacy of the Century of Humiliation and China's South China Sea Policy

The South China Sea (SCS) territorial disputes have their roots in a complex history involving multiple factors, including decolonization, nationalism, historical claims, and the desire to control maritime resources. After World War II, the process of decolonization led to the creation of new states in the region, each with their own claims and interests in the SCS. The SCS disputes are not solely a result of decolonization however, in this paper I argue that the experience of "Century of Humiliation" has contributed to the country's assertive behavior in territorial disputes, including those in the SCS. "Century of Humiliation" is a term that is often used to describe the period of Chinese history from the mid-19th century to the mid-20th century, during which China suffered a series of military defeats and unequal treaties with Western powers and Japan, that undermined its sovereignty and territorial integrity. The "Century of Humiliation" has become an important part of Chinese national consciousness, and it is often used to underscore the importance of national unity, strength, and resilience in the face of external threats. Thus, "Never forget national humiliation - 勿忘国耻" is used as a unifying motto that has also contributed to Chinese nationalism and a desire for China to regain its historical power and influence. This is why I argue in this paper that China's territorial claims in the SCS are driven in part by a desire to restore its position as a dominant regional power. The restoration of territorial integrity, regardless of whether China's territorial claim is legitimate, is a necessary step for Chinese Communist Party in order to purge the Chinese nation of the humiliation it has suffered at the hands of the "barbarians".