[atimes] Watching China lay claim to territory in the South and East China Seas and on the Indian border resembles a fat man at the buffet table declaring that everything from the roast beef over to the chocolate éclairs is his. Now China is setting its sights on the Arctic – declaring itself a “near Arctic state.”Step 1: A term appears in an obscure Chinese academic journal. Measure responses and continue…
Step 2: Term appears in a regional Chinese newspaper. Measure responses and continue…
Step 3: Term is used at a Chinese national conference or seminar. Measure responses and continue…
Step 4: Term is used in Xinhua and China Daily articles. Measure responses and continue…
Step 5: Term is used at international conference(s) and academic exchanges held in China. Measure responses and continue…
Step 6: China frequently refers to the term in international media, and at international conferences. Measure acceptance and continue…
Step 7: China issues policy white paper stating its position, its implied right, and an implied threat to ‘defend’ its rights
Step 8: China maintains this has ‘always’ been China’s policy: nothing has changed. (Translation: Get used to it, barbarians.)