This is a quite interesting story. Yet the piece one forgot to mention is that the government of Republic of China was founded in 1912, after the intense and long warfare. Meaning at most, the author's evidence could prove that during the times somewhat around 1912-1927. It wasn't on the government's official records, while they're trying to define its territory.
It does not affect evidence dated back before.
On the other hand, similar arguments could effectively be found for other countries who also land the claims. As their claims were only made more recently, as well as their governments, all after a long time of western colonization.
Different claims made by different countries must all be examined. Put one in the spotlight without examining others could only raise suspicions.
> the government of Republic of China was founded in 1912
The Republic of China is the official name of Taiwan; mainland China is The People's Republic of China.
The last Imperial dynasty, the Qing, usually is dated to have ended in 1911. There was a period of intermittent civil war and various claims to government until the Communists defeated the Nationalists in 1949.
1949 is usually given as the date of the founding of the current Chinese state. (The Nationalists fled to Taiwan, which became the Republic of China.)
Don’t mistake the HN comment section for a place where you need to be concerned about one narrative or another bandying about sovereign claims to the Spratly Islands.
It does not affect evidence dated back before.
On the other hand, similar arguments could effectively be found for other countries who also land the claims. As their claims were only made more recently, as well as their governments, all after a long time of western colonization.
Different claims made by different countries must all be examined. Put one in the spotlight without examining others could only raise suspicions.