China: The Fisherman’s Foe
I saw an interesting story on the Associated Press’ website a while back. Fishing is a very big deal for the nation of Peru. It provides a lot of the country’s food and no little of its income.
But, China has gotten into the fishing business big time. It has sent massive fishing fleets all over the world, and in the case of Peru, right up the very edge of that county’s territorial waters. Sometimes, its ships have crossed the line into areas that Peru itself claims. But, worse, Chinese ships are using enormous lights to attract squid and other animals to its nets.
The result? Peru is increasingly shut out of its own marine resources.
Who, if anyone, can deal with the problem is beyond me. But, clearly, China is not winning any friends in Peru.
What I’m finding fascinating about Beijing’s drive toward global hegemony is that, well, it’s got all the finesse of a drunken water buffalo in a tea shop. You’d think that if you really wanted to rule the world, and if you had brains in operation, you’d try to make a few enemies as you could along the way.
But, apparently, President Xi and Co. don’t think that way.
Going make things interesting in times to come.
~mjt
Source: “Small Fry: Peru’s fishermen battle China’s overseas fleet,” by Joshua Goodman, AP, Sep 24, 2021, https://apnews.com/article/business-science-china-environment-and-nature-peru-74afc6d37b58d1a93960cad4886651d7
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