Yrch, nor anyone else, has not replied here. In effect, he has walked away and ignored the challenge.
As I predicted.
I must be very lucky to be able to guess correctly so often.
I encountered this often in China. When they did not want to talk about something (or realised I understood them), they would simply close their mouth, or turn and walk away, or declare by fiat that the discussion was over.
What they do not understand is that silence and omission communicate just as clearly.
I miss playing poker with them. Easy money.
I read this banter between you and Yrch and figure best to not chime in as it seemed there was some personal discussion going on (the whole tick tock thing). But since you've opened it up to "anyone else", I would say your generalization and predictions are wrong. A few of your encounters does not represent a billion plus people.
Your challenge is easily accepted. The reclamation done by China in the SCS features would be environmentally wrong but given the political climate and the attempts by rival claimants to play the victim card, became a necessity if China did not want to be caught flat-footed. Having executed large scale reclamation at this point, the next best thing to do now is to pursue a green track and foster rebuilding of the reef environment via artificial reef solutions. I've more than one posted that thought.
Having said that, I think the challenge you presented isn't on a level playing field here. As I recall, you're not from the US so it's always easier to admit to mistakes of someone else where you have little skin involved. I believe your affinity lies with Vietnam. So in line with your challenge -
- Do you believe it is a mistake for Vietnam to be quietly and steadily occupying little spits of features; and in some cases, merely putting the equivalent of an offshore oil rig on top of underwater features which only exacerbates the tension in the SCS?
- Do you believe it is a mistake for Vietnam to be reclaiming on features which in principle is also damaging the pristine environment and creating the political atmosphere where other claimants will feel compelled to "keep up with the Jones" and outdo the next guy?
- Vietnam built light houses and reclaimed on features post Declaration on Code of Conduct, do you acknowledge it has violated the spirit of the declaration which is no different than China?
- Vietnam's current claims and occupation are not in line with UNCLOS. So despite it's govt saying it respects and subscribes to UNCLOS, do you acknowledge it is the same double talk as other claimants?