Controversy has arisen over the original ownership of vast land in the Siberian Far East, including Vladivostok, a port city now accommodating Russia’s Pacific Fleet station.

Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te, who advocates the island country’s independence, recently raised the issue by pointing out that the Russian territory had belonged to China until the mid-19th century.

Lai aims to oppose Chinese leaders who seek to annex Taiwan — by force if necessary — while disregarding what he considers lost territory for nearly two centuries. Lee appears to challenge the Chinese government by questioning why Beijing has not yet reclaimed the land.

However, Lai's main purpose is not to make Chinese leaders demand the lost territory back. Even if Beijing urges Russia to return the land, subsequent negotiations will never be easy, which Lai........

© The Korea Times