Everything Old Is New Again

Asia for the Asians!

Q: That's the slogan for: Imperial Japan (ca 1940) or Fascist China (ca 2015)?

A: Yes!

Dig this:

Japan frequently referred to their expansionist program as the creation of a Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere, and along with that went the phrase "Asia for the Asians". It was meant to portray a vision of Japan leading Asian nations in looking out for Asia.

And this:

SINGAPORE—A senior Chinese naval commander has claimed new islands his country is building in the South China Sea will benefit the region, while stressing that such activities “fall well within the scope of China’s sovereignty.”

Noting the military usefulness of the islets China is constructing in the disputed Spratly Islands, Adm. Sun Jianguo, deputy chief of staff of the People’s Liberation Army’s general staff, said they would mainly enable China to provide “international public services,” including maritime search and rescue, disaster relief, and scientific research.

There's that weasel word, "mainly" again. I guess if the islands provide China the ability to claim territorial waters way out to sea, that's an unexpected bonus for them.

I also like the "scientific research" part. For a country who has taken pollution to a whole new level, the phrase, "scientific research," brings up images of them constructing the Island of Dr. Moreau out there.

Asia for the Asians!
Err, Asian animals.
Err, mutant Asian animals.
Oh, never mind.