Maritime Archaeology or Imperialism?

The Wall Street Journal reports on China's use of maritime archaeology to help project its power over disputed waters.  More evidence, if any was needed, that the PRC-- like other authoritarian states through history-- mainly values archaeology as a means of justifying its own nationalistic claims.  Perhaps, the US State Department Cultural Heritage Center and the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs should take into account this reality before renewing the MOU with China.  But will they? Or, will the farce that the MOU  with China just furthers archaeology and cultural exchange be allowed to continue?