ABC78
Junior Member
Actually if anything the Klingons are closer to being Russian or Japanese, whereas the Romulans are more likely the Asian analogue because of their connection with the Vulcans clearly indicates a NKorea/SKorea type of characterization.
I won't deny that the original series writers were using the Klingons to represent the Russian. But I also can not dismiss the new material that lends to a fuller picture.
The big thing the keeps me from seeing the Romulans as Chinese. Federation is formed as a military alliance and bulwark against the Romulans not the Klingons. Just as NATO was form to stand against the Russians the Vulcans are western Europeans while the Russians are the Romulans. The Klingons are more of a nuisance compared to the Romulans as a whole.
Kahless like Gwan Yu a warrior elevated to deity.
In the original Star Trek I always imagined the Klingons being the Russians and the Romulans as the Chinese, since the Romulans received the klingon equipment such as the DS-7 cruisers. Just like the Chinese in the 70s receive much of the higher tech military equipment from the Russians
This is somewhat a creation designed to reign in production cost.
The Klingon's in the Original series were always meant to be Russian, at the Time of the TOS the Chinese were still more or less bit players.
Look at the Klingon's in the Series, they conformed to American Propaganda of Russians in a number of episodes they play roles seen in real life being played by the Russians, A private little War is a parable of the Vietnam war. a local people divided into two factions, The Klingon's are arming on half Kirk starts arming the other side and it all goes to hell when his Phaser gets into the hands of the locals.
The Romulans were The Chinese, the Technology exchange of the Enterprise incident. I mean Even the division of Vulcan and Romulan Culture although Revered was a direct parallel to the ROC( Taiwan), PRC dispute.
Though what ever the Klingons inspiration metamorphoses may be through out the years of the franchise by dozens and possible hundreds of writers will ultimately end up making it impossible to figure out.