๐ Where Is Diaoyudao?
Diaoyudao (known as the Senkaku Islands in Japan) is an island chain located:
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420 km east of mainland China
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190 km northeast of Keelung, Taiwan
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420 km west of Okinawa, Japan
The archipelago comprises seven islands and various reefs, with the largest island covering 4.3 square kilometers. Though uninhabited, their location makes them one of the most contested territories in East Asia.
๐งญ Strategic and Economic Importance
๐น Maritime Strategy
Diaoyudao lies at the heart of East Asia’s key maritime transit routes, making it critical for:
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Controlling naval access to the East China Sea
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Protecting shipping lanes used by China, Japan, South Korea, and the U.S.
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Projecting military power in case of regional conflict
๐น Energy Resources
The seabed surrounding Diaoyudao is believed to hold up to 4 billion tonnes of crude oil, according to studies by Saga Petroleum (Norway) and MIT. The area accounts for 43% of the East China Sea’s estimated oil reserves, raising the stakes for all claimants.
⚖️ Historical Claims and International Treaties
๐ฏ๐ต Japan's Position
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Claims Diaoyudao has been under effective control since 1895
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Integrated into Okinawa Prefecture without reference to the Treaty of Shimonoseki
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Transferred to Japan by the U.S. in 1971 via the Okinawa Reversion Agreement
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Argues the islands were terra nullius before Japanese development
๐จ๐ณ China’s Response
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Asserts sovereignty based on historical documents dating back to the Ming Dynasty
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Emphasizes geographic proximity and ancient administrative control
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Cites the 1893 imperial edict and maps from 1783
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Argues that Diaoyudao was annexed illegally and should be returned as per the 1952 Taipei Treaty
๐บ๐ธ U.S. Role in the Dispute
The U.S. held administrative control over Diaoyudao from 1951 to 1971. While it returned administration to Japan, Washington maintains a neutral stance on sovereignty, yet supports Japan under the U.S.-Japan Security Treaty, stating that the islands fall under its defense obligations.
This creates tension in U.S.-China relations, as:
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The U.S. must balance treaty commitments with strategic ties to both nations
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China sees U.S. military support for Japan as a challenge to its regional ambitions
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The islands are increasingly viewed as a flashpoint in the Indo-Pacific
๐ฅ Incidents and Escalation
1996–1997
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Far-right Japanese groups erected structures on the islands
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Chinese and Taiwanese protests intensified
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Japanese lawmakers landed on the islands, prompting diplomatic protests from China and Taiwan
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Japanese PM Hashimoto and officials called for restraint
These events set a precedent for regular confrontations and coast guard encounters.
๐ Broader Geopolitical Context
China’s Strategy
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Seeks to project power beyond its coastlines
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Views Diaoyudao as a stepping stone into the Pacific
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Ties control of the islands to energy security and maritime supremacy
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Since Deng Xiaoping, prioritizes maritime development and regional dominance
Japan’s Security Doctrine
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As an island nation, Japan is sea lane-dependent
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Relies on overseas energy imports for 85% of its needs
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Partners with the U.S. to counterbalance China
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Uses Diaoyudao as a forward defense base
๐ข️ Energy Security: The Real Driver?
Both China and Japan are highly energy-dependent economies. With no substantial oil reserves of their own, they:
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Depend on imports from the Middle East and Southeast Asia
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Fear potential energy supply disruptions
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View Diaoyudao’s seabed as a rare local source of energy security
Thus, territorial sovereignty is directly linked to national energy strategies and maritime transport security.
✒️ Conclusion
The Diaoyudao/Senkaku Islands represent a nexus of historical grievance, strategic ambition, and economic necessity. As the U.S.-China rivalry intensifies, these small uninhabited rocks could spark major diplomatic or even military confrontation in the East China Sea.
