Senkaku Islands Dispute between Japan and China - Essay Example

Draft Senkaku Islands dispute between Japan and China When two countries engage in territorial disagreements, there is likelihood of civil war between them if there are no proper diplomatic approaches to solve the dispute. Good neighbourhood and the larger international human rights practices require that countries experiencing territorial disputes to solve the issue amicably to avoid any possibilities of civil strife between them. In many countries across the world, people have lost their lives and economic activities distorted because of lack of successful efforts in solving territorial wrangles. Most of the cross border conflicts between countries are brought about by natural cross border distribution of resources in the two or more countries, whereby it could happen that a certain essential resource at the border of two or more countries. Most of the resources that bring these conflicts are natural, for instance, two or more countries may be sharing a large water source like a lake or river, In this case, each of the parties will want to fight to have full rights of ownership and control of it, other resources include mountains oil exploits among others. When countries cannot effectively reach a general agreement about control and management of the resource, one of the most effective ways of solving the dispute, is usually appointing a team comprising of different experts to assess the value and way of sharing proceeds from the resources for the benefit of countries involved. This method has been used in many places, with concerned countries signing various treaties and agreements to manage exploitation of resources. This method has helped avert possible conflicts and further disagreements that would have otherwise threatened the stability of particular countries. The ultimate aim of such dispute resolution approaches aim at maintaining political and economic stabilities of the countries involved, making it possible for the country’s citizens to benefit from the particular resources. Senkaku islands dispute The dispute and controversy concerning Senkaku islands has been a territorial issue involving the Japanese republic and that of China. For a very long time, these islands have been uninhabited, remaining furrow without any human activities taking place. Between China and Japan, these islands have not been fully exploited perhaps because of the possibility that they can fuel war between the two countries. Despite the mutual and reliable relations that have characterised Japan and china, this row has been cited as a potential cause of civil war. The Islands total number of islands that are cause all this territorial issues are eight, with a maximum possible area of about 7 sp kilometers, located towards the North-east of Taiwan Republic, East of the Chinese mainland and the South Western part of Japan. Majority of these islands are currently under the control of Japanese government, something that China continues to protest. One of the reasons for the persistent interest in the ownership of these islands is the fact that they located near shipping lanes that have been regarded as highly productive. At the same time, they are strategically located, in the midst of rising competition and interest pitting the American government, and the Chinese republic. The interest of the US is because the islands offer a good cite for military primacy between US and China in the larger Asian-pacific region. The Japanese claim Japan has always cited the fact that it took a lot of time and money to research and survey about the islands for a period exceeding 10 years in the 19th century, and arrived on a reliable conclusion that the islands were part of its territory. Japan claims that in 1895, it managed to develop an autonomy marker and successfully integrated all the islands into the Japanese territory, being part of the islands referred to as Nansei Shoto. The World War II, ended with many territorial changes especially to the Japanese republic. When the war ended, Japan was forced to renounce ownership of some of the islands that included Taiwan; this was arrived at during the Treaty of San Francisco in America in 1951. During this time, Japan claims that the republic of China did not raise any objection against the move; this made the ownership of Nansei Shoto Islands to be placed under the trusteeship of the American government. Later, the ownership was handed back to the Japanese government in 1971, following the Okinawa reversion deal between the American government and Japan. China is said to have developed interest in the ownership of the islands in the late 1970 after it was discovered that the area had vast oil resources. After this realization, China and Taiwan started pressing their interests, wanting ownership rights in the islands, something that Japan has not wanted to easily accept. China’s claim The government of China has always suggested that Diaoyu islands have been part of its territory since the ancient times. They said that the islands had been used as important fishing grounds for its people. China says that the islands were under the administration of the province of Taiwan, The government through the Ministry of Foreign affairs has said ownership of the island by the Chinese government is an issue that can be well proved with historical as well as legal records. According to the claims of the Chinese government, Taiwan was relinquished to Japan, during the agreement that was arrived at and signed in the Treaty of Shimonoseki; this exchange took place in 1895 after the end of the Sino-Japanese war. Later on, the Taiwan was returned and made to govern itself during an agreement that was arrived at and signed under the treaty of San Francisco, following this development; china explains that islands ought to have been returned as well by the Japanese government. Beijing has continued to hold that the Kuomintang leader did not raise this important issue even after it was clear that the Diaoyu Islands had been cited and names later in the Okinawa reversion deal. They say that, the issue was not raised by because by then, China was relying on the support of American government. The most interesting part is the fact that Taiwan government also seems to be having interest in the islands, after it brought claims that it was the due owner of the islands. How all interested parties have advanced their claims At the moment, control and management of the islands has been under the authority of the Japanese government. The government has deployed military and special guards to watch over the island and its surrounding water. However, tension has always remained high between the three countries, especially China. In 1996, it is believed that a group of people believed to be from Japan established a lighthouse on one of the islands in this troubled territory, this prompted the Chinese government to respond by sending activists to the islands to protest against this move by the Japanese government. During the protest, one of the activists by the name David Chan is believed to have jumped into the ocean waters, and drowning. After this incident, the Chinese and the Taiwan governments have collaborated on various occasion to sail to the islands and try to persuade the Japanese government to release ownership of the islands to the. On several occasions, the Japanese and Chinese patrol boats have faced off each other with various outcomes. In fact, a particular incident happened in 2005 50 fishing boats belonging to Taiwan held several protests in the area, during their protests, the fishermen cited various cases of harassment and mistreatment by Japanese patrols that were and are still prevalent in the area. This dispute seems to be headed to its worst end if diplomatic interventions are not effectively put into active use. In 2010, the Japanese government was involved in a fierce near-to-battle confrontation, during this time, a Chinese trawler alongside its crew were seized by Japanese patrols after it emerged that the boats had collided near the islands. This incidence brought up a serious diplomatic row between Japan and the republic of China, in many parts of China; there were several anti-Japanese protests that were held by Chinese nationals. In the end, Japan was left with no option but to let the trawler and its crew go back to their country, although China did not take it lightly. The future of the dispute Most international stakeholders have been on the forefront advising the two super powers to find a lasting solution. It is evident that this row threatens regional peace in the Middle East if there will be no lasting solution in the coming periods. This is because; many countries have suffered a lot in the management and control of cross border resources. Read More