China's official media is encouraging public discussion about whether Beijing should occupy territories of neighboring countries in the manner Russia has done with Ukraine. Thousands of netizens have joined the discussion on the issue in micro blogging sites.
"China may learn something from the Ukraine situation. However, it cannot copy Russia's practice," Global Times, which is closely connected with the Communist Party, said in a opinion piece. The article suggested "China keeps a sober mind" on the issue but it is capable of advancing into territories of neighbors.
Chinese netizens are suggesting China could start by making advances into Magnolia as the first step, and follow it up with similar moves in other places in the neighborhood.
"Russia has dealt with Crimea vigorously, but China will have to show patience when dealing with disputes with its neighboring countries," the paper said. China is involved in territorial disputes with India, Japan, Vietnam and Philippines besides being strategically close to Pakistan Occupied Kashmir, which India considers its territory.
Some are questioning the former Soviet Union's role in separating Mongolia from China in 1945.
"In October 1945, the Soviet Union encouraged northern Mongolia to hold a referendum, and with less than 50,000 voting participants, ripped away 15 percent of China's sovereign territory," a satirist who goes by the online moniker Cui Chenghao wrote to his two million followers in Weibo, China's Twitter.
"Return Mongolia to us, and then we'll support the Crimean referendum," another Weibo user said.
But the official Chinese media is full of praise for Russia's show of muscle that has even frightened western powers, who are now reluctant to interfere in favor of Ukraine.
"The US and EU are reluctant to take decisive counter measures, as they are not sure what Russia's response would be," Global Times said.
Suggesting China's future is best assured by enhancing military power, the paper said, "In international politics, the No.1 element is a country's comprehensive power. What is said is not so important - but after gaining more power, there will be fewer hostile challenges".
(By: TNN)
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