According to Japan's Kyodo News Agency, on December 31 last year, the Japan Coast Guard sent ships to the outer "contiguous zone" around the Diaoyu Islands and found four Chinese coast guard ships cruising nearby, one of which was also equipped with a cannon-like device, and the firepower configuration was relatively powerful. This is an "abnormal situation" discovered by the Japanese side around the Diaoyu Islands for 10 consecutive days. In addition, throughout 2023, the number of days China coast guard ships patrolled the Diaoyu Islands has reached 352 days, a record high.
These data show that China's attention to the Diaoyu Islands and the frequency of patrols are increasing year by year. The presence and activities of Chinese coast guard vessels play an important role in safeguarding the sovereignty of the Diaoyu Islands and their affiliated islands. China has not only carried out patrols in the territorial waters of the Diaoyu Islands, but also stepped up patrols in the waters around the Diaoyu Islands, making clear to the Japanese side its firm position on territorial sovereignty.
Foreign media reports say that China may take further measures against the Diaoyu Islands, that is, it will send coast guard ships to patrol the vicinity of the Diaoyu Islands every day throughout 2024, and conduct mandatory inspections of Japanese ships that enter the Diaoyu Islands without permission. If this news is true, then China's move to send ships to patrol the Diaoyu Islands every day will cause unprecedented pressure and deterrence on the Japanese side.
This action not only demonstrates China's firm determination to safeguard its territorial sovereignty, but also sends a clear signal to the international community that Diaoyu Dao and its affiliated islands are China's inherent territory, and China will never tolerate any aggression or occupation. By patrolling the Diaoyu Islands on a daily basis, China aims to strengthen its de facto control over its territorial and maritime rights and interests, so that the Japanese side will not dare to act rashly.
The dispute over the Diaoyu Islands has been a sensitive issue in Sino-Japanese relations since the 20th century. According to Japanese claims, they claim that Japan "de facto occupied" the Diaoyu Islands as early as 1895. However, this claim was refuted by the Chinese side one by one.
First, according to earlier historical maps, the Diaoyu Islands were clearly marked as Chinese territory on Japanese maps of 1783 and 1785. Second, before the outbreak of the Sino-Japanese War, the Diaoyu Islands were under China's effective jurisdiction. Although Japan defeated the Qing Dynasty in 1895 and coerced China into ceding the Diaoyu Islands, this did not change the ownership of the Diaoyu Islands themselves.
In addition, after Japan's defeat in World War II, according to the Cairo Declaration signed by China, Britain and the United States in 1943, Japan was required to return all stolen Chinese territory, including the Diaoyu Islands. Although the treaty does not explicitly mention the Diaoyu Dao, the Cairo Declaration is widely recognized as an important document recognized by the international community, so Japan's claim to the Diaoyu Dao is still difficult to substantiate.
In short, China has indisputable sovereignty over the Diaoyu Islands and has demonstrated its steadfastness in defending its territory.
By discovering "abnormal situations" around the Diaoyu Islands for 10 consecutive days, the Japanese side is actually testing China's determination to defend its rights in the area. China's tough stance on the Diaoyu Islands shows that China will not tolerate any attempt to violate its territory.
China plans to send coast guard vessels to patrol the vicinity of the Senkakus every day in 2024 and conduct mandatory inspections of Japanese vessels if needed. This measure will bring strong deterrence and pressure to the Japanese side. Through the navigation operation, China emphasized its sovereignty over the Diaoyu Dao and its affiliated islands, as well as its zero-tolerance stance against Japan's illegal entry.
China's position on rights protection is not only a manifestation of safeguarding the inalienability of China's territorial integrity, but also for the sake of maintaining regional stability and peace. At the same time, China encourages Japan to face up to its problems, resolve disputes through dialogue and consultation, and oppose provocative acts that persist in going its own way.
The dispute does not stop at the Diaoyu Islands, and the international community needs a rational and cooperative attitude towards territorial disputes. The Diaoyu Islands are regarded by China and Japan as representatives of core interests and territorial sovereignty, so resolving this dispute will require joint efforts by both sides. In the process, China has demonstrated its firm stance on rights protection and made it clear that its sovereign territory is inviolable through navigation operations and other means.
At the same time, it is also necessary to arouse the attention of the international community and abide by international law and internationally recognized norms. In the Diaoyu Islands dispute, history is still the fundamental basis for resolving the issue, but at the same time, political wisdom and dialogue and consultation are needed to promote the solution. Only through dialogue and cooperation can tensions be eased and regional security and stability maintained. For both sides, it is time to shake off past misunderstandings and disputes and work together to contribute to peace and development in the Asia-Pacific region.