south china sea: Archeological artifacts recovered from 5,000 feet under sea. Will China use these items to claim South China Sea?

In what may be China’s attempt to reinforce its claim over the disputed South China Sea as well as cultural value and discover its past, authorities have recovered 1,000 pieces of treasure, including copper coins and ornate pottery from the Ming Dynasty. According to China’s National Cultural Heritage Administration, valuable artifacts from the debris of a pair of ancient shipwrecks, buried under 5,000 feet have been taken out. The shipwrecks were discovered in 2022 and the authorities toiled for one year to assess their value and ways to reach them. After much deliberations, planning and study, the archaeologists used a crewed submersible called “Deep Sea Warrior” to conduct the excavation, reports CBS News.

890 pieces of artifacts recovered

The news outlet has said in its report that 890 pieces of artifacts were recovered from the first shipwreck. These include copper coins, porcelain and pottery items and other items of historical and archeological importance. The Chinese mandarins also said that the second shipwreck yielded 38 relics, including lumber, turban shells and deer antlers.

China uses robots

After the recovery operation was completed, the National Cultural Heritage Administration released images of the recovered treasure. It also released photographs of the submersible retrieving artifacts from the ocean floor with a robotic “claw.”

Chinese claim over South China Sea

Political observers have said that besides the archeological significance, it has political importance too. Beijing may use this recovery to further bolster its claim over the South China Sea. China claims sovereignty over most of the South China Sea. It uses the mythical “nine-dash-line” to claim its control over the sea since ancient times. It is most likely to use these archeological artifacts to bolster its claim.

Dispute over the South China Sea

Chinese claim over the South China Sea has been contested by its neighbors Taiwan, Vietnam, Philippines, Brunei, and Malaysia. But Beijing has rejected the claims of all these countries and it has developed animosity with these countries on this issue.

FAQs:

What is the dispute over the South China Sea?
China claims its sovereignty over most of the South China Sea, this claim is contested by its neighbors Taiwan, Vietnam, Philippines, Brunei, and Malaysia.

What items have been recovered from under the South China Sea?
Chinese authorities have recovered 890 pieces of artifacts from the sea bed, 5000 feet under water. These include copper coins, porcelain and pottery items and other items of historical and archeological importance.