@beacupin Compare this to the entire Gem-Ver Crew left to drown by a Chinese vessel after ramming it. No compassion and no respect for human life. Salute to Vietnam's sailors.
At age 17, she was rejected from college.
At age 25, her mother died from the disease.
At age 26, she moved to Portugal to teach English.
At age 27, she got married.
Her husband abused her. Her daughter was born.
At age 28, she got divorced and was diagnosed with severe depression.
At age 29, she was a single mother living on welfare.
At age 30, she didn't want to be on this earth.
But, she directed all her passion into doing the one thing she could do better than anyone else.
And that was writing.
At age 31, she finally published her first book.
At age 35, she released 4 books and was named Author of the Year.
At age 42, she sold 11 million copies of her new book, on the first day of release.
This woman is J.K. Rowling. Remember how she considered suicide at age 30?
Today, Harry Potter is a global brand worth more than 15 billion dollars.
Never give up. Believe in yourself. Be passionate. Work hard. It’s never too late.
She is J.K. Rowling
PH is not (a) sending hundreds of ships into CN EEZ/CS to keep them from fishing or exploring for oil, (b) sailing more than 1,130km to stake an imaginary sovereignty claim over a submerged reef near CN coast, (c) sending more & more ships to aggressively endanger unarmed ships.
The following year, CN fully armed all islands with anti-ship, anti-air missiles, jammers, and radars to bring the entire SCS and most of the countries around them within their weapons' range. 24/24
https://t.co/FQps0QcH2u
On 25 Sept 2015, CPC SecGen Xi Jinping stated publicly that CN “does not intend to pursue militarization” of the Spratly Islands, and that such outposts would not “target or impact” any country.” 23/24
Probably because in April 2014, CN began its artificial island building spree, completely destroying productive coral ecosystems, altering Nature herself, to build 3 giant military naval air bases and 4 support bases. The largest is now on Mischief Reef. (Pics: CSIS-AMTI) 21/24
CN refused to recognize/participate in the case. In March 2014, for the 1st time since 1999, CN prevented a PH resupply ship from reaching BRP Sierra Madre, accusing PH of attempting to build structures on the reef. Why the sudden interest in the immobile, rusting ship? 20/24
With no options, in 2013 PH initiated the SCS Arbitration proceedings vs CN per UNCLOS Part XV, Art 287(3) and Annex VII. Both are parties to UNCLOS, & upon ratification deemed to select arbitration as means of settling disputes over interpretation & application of UNCLOS. 19/24
…sparking the 2012 Scarborough Shoal Stand-off lasting several months. On the basis of a promised mutual withdrawal brokered in the US (CN denies there was), PH left the shoal. CN did not, and afterwards actively prevented all PH vessels (govt & private) from returning. 18/24
…were destroying the coral reef at Scarborough Shoal to dig out giant claims. These were also destroying fisheries on which Filipino (and other nations’) fishing communities depend. The PN tried to arrest the fishermen, but CN intervened… (Pic: Christian Science Monitor) 17/24
Various attempts were made to engage in non-prejudicial cooperation activites, including a Joint Marine Research Expedition (JOMSRE) anad a Joint Marine Seismic Undertaking (JMSU), but did not move forward (other threads later). In 2012, the PH found that CN fishermen … 16/24
…”to exercise self-restraint” upon activities that would “complicate or escalate disputes” including “refraining from action of inhabiting on the presently uninhabited islands, reefs, shoals, cays, and other features” and to handle differences in a “constructive manner.” 15/24
Three years later, the 2002 DOC was signed by all claimants, where they all committed to resolve disputes by peaceful means without resorting to threats or use of force, through friendly consultations and negotiations, and most importantly… 14/24