China–Japan–Taiwan Tensions - Senkaku Islands
China Coast Guard Patrol near Senkaku/Diaoyu
A China Coast Guard ship formation passed through waters around the Senkaku Islands (administered by Japan; called Diaoyu by China).
China described this as a “rights enforcement patrol”, claiming the operation was lawful to uphold its rights and interests.
The Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands are a long-standing maritime dispute between China and Japan.
Trigger for Escalation
Tensions escalated after Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi stated in Parliament (7 November) that a hypothetical Chinese attack on Taiwan could trigger a military response from Japan.
China reacted angrily, signalling that it expects Japan to retract or modify these remarks.
Positions of the Parties
China:
Claims Taiwan as its own territory.
Does not rule out use of force to achieve unification.
Taiwan:
Rejects Beijing’s sovereignty claims.
Japan:
Administers the Senkaku Islands.
Increasingly vocal about Taiwan’s security implications for Japan.
Senkaku Islands
The Senkaku Islands are a group of small, uninhabited islands in the East China Sea that have been the subject of a long-standing territorial dispute between Japan, China and Taiwan.
The islands are strategically located near important shipping lanes and rich fishing grounds, and may also have oil and gas reserves under the seabed.
The sovereignty over the islands has implications for the security and economic interests of the claimants, as well as for regional stability and order in East Asia.
Prelims Practice MCQs
Q. The Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands, often in the news, are located in which region?
A. East China Sea
B. South China Sea
C. Yellow Sea
D. Sea of Japan
Correct answer: A
Explanation: The Senkaku (Japan)/Diaoyu (China) islands lie in the East China Sea and are a major point of contention between China and Japan.