Differences grew in between China and Japan over the disputed Diayo Islands

Japan on 11 September 2012, announced that it has purchased the three uninhabited islands in the Diayo Islands from its owner family based in Tokyo. Amidst, the growing tensions in relation to the disputed East China Sea, China issued a warning to Japan on that it will take care of its interests by taking necessary steps in relation to the three islands purchased by Japan in the Diaoyo Islands.

Two Marine Surveillance Ships were sent on patrol by China to the inhabited islands for enforcement of Chinese control that heightened the possibilities of confrontation with Japanese coastguards.

What is the Dispute all about?

Senkaku or Diaoyu Islands are the uninhabited group of Islands in the East China Sea controlled by Japan since 1895. These Islands lie in between the mainland of China, West of Okinawa Island, Northeastern Taiwan and north of the South-western end of Ryukyu Islands. As per a study conducted by the experts in the year 1968, it was discovered that these islands may have oil reserves. After Japan’s surrender in the World War II, the control of the Islands went in the hands of USA and controlled by them from 1945 to 1971. US returned these islands to Japan after the Okinawa Reversion Treaty inked in between US and Japan in 1972. Whereas after the reversal treaty, People’s Republic of China (PRC) and the Republic of China, Taiwan (ROC) claims the discovery of the islands and their control over these from 14th Century. Amidst the complexity, ROC and PRC consider these Islands as the part of Taiwan as part of Yilan Countries, Toucheng Township. Japan does not consider Taiwan as a sovereign state and hence does not regard the claims of Taiwan over the group of Islands.