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The East China Sea (ECS) is surrounded on the west by China, and to the east by Japan’s southern island of Kyushu, the Ryukyu Island chain, and Taiwan. A United Nations survey mission reported in 1968 that there were enormous untapped oil and gas reserves in the East China Sea seabed. The richest deposits are concentrated where the waters become significantly deep in the Okinawa Trough, which is beyond China's continental shelf and before the Ryukyu Island chain. Subsequently Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, and Okinawa (under U.S. administration at the time) staked claims in the area. Their competing claims centered on the legal status of the Okinawa Trough. As the basis of their respective claims, Japan used the median-line principle, whereas South Korea and Taiwan used the prolongation of land territory principle. South Korea and Taiwan invoked the Geneva Convention on the Continental Shelf of 1958 which established the 200 meter (124 miles) depth criterion. Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan agreed to joint development of the area in the 1970s, at which time China protested their plan. Both China and Japan ratified the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). China submitted its claim titled Concerning the Outer Limits of the Continental Shelf beyond 200 Nautical Miles in Part of the East China Sea to the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf (CLCS) under UNCLOS. Its position is that"the natural prolongation of the continental shelf of China in the East China Sea extends to the Okinawa Trough and beyond 200 nautical miles from the baselines from which the breadth of the territorial sea of China is measured". The East China Sea Senkaku / Diaoyu / Diaoyutai dispute involves China, Japan, and Taiwan. China and Japan have separate but interrelated claims involving where to delimit the sea boundary and sovereignty over the islands, while China and Taiwan maintain parallel claims regarding the islands.
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Background on the East China Sea Dispute |
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Okinawa Trough |
Border Claims, Oil and Gas Fields, and Disputed Areas |
People's Republic of China (PRC)Japan’s occupation of Diaoyu Dao during the Sino-Japanese War in 1895 is illegal and invalid. After World War II, Diaoyu Dao was returned to China in accordance with such international legal documents as the Cairo Declaration and the Potsdam Proclamation. No matter what unilateral step Japan takes over Diaoyu Dao, it will not change the fact that Diaoyu Dao belongs to China. |
"Diaoyu Dao and its affiliated islands are an inseparable part of the Chinese territory. Diaoyu Dao is China’s inherent territory in all historical, geographical and legal terms, and China enjoys indisputable sovereignty over Diaoyu Dao" White Paper: Diaoyu Dao - An Inherent Territory of China September 2012 State Council Information Office The People’s Republic of China |
On September 10, 2012, the Japanese government announced its decision to "purchase" Diaoyu Island and its affiliated Nanxiao Island and Beixiao Island under what Tokyo called "nationalization". This move taken by the Japanese government constitutes a serious violation of Chinese territorial sovereignty. The Chinese government and people firmly oppose it and have strongly protested against the move.
Diaoyu Islands Cannot be Bought Ministry of Foreign Affairs, People's Republic of China September 14, 2012 |
Tsai Ing-Wen Administration
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The Diaoyutai Islands are situated on the Republic of China’s (ROC) continental shelf in the East China Sea. Geologically, they are a part of the island chain northeast of Taiwan and therefore appertain to Taiwan, making them an inherent part of ROC territory.
Ten Facts about the Diaoyutai Islands ROC Ministry of Foreign Affairs |
Ma Ying-jeou Administration (2008-2016)2015
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In September two years ago, after Japan announced the nationalization of the disputed Diaoyutai Islands, anti-Japanese demonstrations erupted in 20 cities throughout mainland China, and tensions escalated in the East China Sea. As one of the claimants, the Republic of China has consistently maintained the stance that the Diaoyutai Islands are an inherent part of the territory of the ROC and are appurtenant to Taiwan. In response to these developments, and in recognition of the 60th anniversary of the August 5, 1952 signing of the Treaty of Peace between the Republic of China and Japan, I proposed the East China Sea Peace Initiative on August 5, 2012.
Former President Ma Ying-jeou Remarks by President Ma at the 2014 East China Sea Peace Forum MAC, 2014 |
JapanJapan-cHINA RELATIONS
Basic Data on Japan-China Relations Status of activities by Chinese government vessels and Chinese fishing vessels in waters surrounding the Senkaku Islands (August 23, 2016) About the Senkaku Islands Development of Natural Resources in the East China Sea "June 2008 Agreement" The Current Status of China’s Unilateral Development of Natural Resources in the East China Sea Japan-China Consultations on the East China Sea and Other Matters Japan-China Relations Archives ministry of foreign affairs on SENKAKU ISLANDS
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There is no doubt that the Senkaku Islands are clearly an inherent part of the territory of Japan, in light of historical facts and based upon international law. Indeed, the Senkaku Islands are under the valid control of Japan. There exists no issue of territorial sovereignty to be resolved concerning the Senkaku Islands.
Japan will act firmly and calmly to maintain its territorial integrity. Japan continues to strive for peace and stability in the region, which is to be established through the observance of international law. Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan |
UNITED STATESDEPARTMENT OF DEFENSEDEPARTMENT OF STATE2012
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGYUS CONGRESS |