The Diaoyu Islands are an issue left over from history between China and Japan, and are also a sensitive topic in the relations between the two countries. Recently, China's coast guard announced that it would patrol the waters off the Diaoyu Islands 365 days a year starting in 2024, a move that triggered a strong reaction from the Japanese side. Behind this incident, it reflects the new changes and challenges in Sino-Japanese relations, and also shows China's determination and confidence in safeguarding territorial sovereignty.
Diaoyu Dao and its affiliated islands have been China's inherent territory since ancient times, and China has indisputable sovereignty over them. However, Japan occupied the islands in 1895 and took over the administrative rights of the islands from the United States in 1972. Since then, Japan has illegally occupied and administered the Diaoyu Islands, and even carried out a so-called "nationalization" of the islands in 2012, which has provoked strong opposition from China.
In order to defend its sovereignty over the Diaoyu Islands, the Chinese Coast Guard has been conducting regular patrols in the waters around the islands since 2012. According to Japan** statistics, Chinese coast guard vessels entered the waters off the Diaoyu Islands for a total of 180 days in 2023, a record high. In 2024, the Chinese coast guard plans to extend its patrol hours to 365 days a year, which means that China will form regular patrols and surveillance in the waters of the Diaoyu Islands, effectively safeguarding China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests.
China's year-round patrols of the Diaoyu Islands demonstrate China's adherence to sovereignty and respect for international law. China has repeatedly stressed that the issue of the Diaoyu Islands is an important issue in Sino-Japanese relations, and China is willing to peacefully resolve the dispute through dialogue and negotiation, but will not give up an inch of territory. China's actions are also consistent with international law, which states have the right to exercise sovereignty and jurisdiction over their territorial seas, contiguous zones, exclusive economic zones and continental shelves, including patrols and law enforcement, under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
Japan has expressed great dissatisfaction and concern about China's year-round patrols of the Diaoyu Islands. Japan and China have smeared and denigrated China's actions, calling China's patrols a "unilateral provocation" and an "infringement of Japan's sovereignty" that threatens the stability and security of the waters around the Diaoyu Islands. Japan has also stepped up its military deployment and alert on the Diaoyu Islands in an attempt to deter and drive away Chinese patrol vessels. Japan has also sought support and protection from the United States, hoping that the United States will stand by Japan on the Diaoyu Islands issue and exert pressure on China.
Japan's response to China's year-round patrols of the Diaoyu Islands reflects Japan's fear and jealousy of China. Japan has always regarded the Diaoyu Islands as its own territory, and is unwilling to recognize China's sovereignty claims or engage in dialogue and negotiations with China. Japan fears that Chinese patrols will weaken Japan's de facto control over the Senkakus and affect its strategic interests in the East China Sea. Japan is jealous of China's development and rise, considers China to be its competitor and threat, and tries to maintain its dominant position by containing and suppressing China.
Japan's response to China's year-round patrols of the Diaoyu Islands is also a reflection of Japan's forgetfulness of history and disregard for international law. Japan's stance on the Diaoyu Islands issue is based on its history of aggression and is an injury and insult to China and Asian countries. Japan's actions on the Diaoyu Islands issue also violate international law and challenge and undermine the international community. Japan should face history squarely, respect facts, abide by international law, and coexist peacefully with China, instead of insisting on going its own way and seeking trouble.
The issue of the Diaoyu Islands is an important part of Sino-Japanese relations, and is also a difficult and hot spot in the relations between the two countries. China's year-round patrols of the Diaoyu Islands have provoked a strong reaction from Japan and brought new changes and challenges to Sino-Japanese relations. Against this background, how should China and Japan properly handle the issue of the Diaoyu Islands and maintain the health and stability of their relations?
First, China and Japan should exercise rationality and restraint to avoid the issue of the Diaoyu Islands from escalating into a military conflict. The issue of the Diaoyu Islands is an issue left over from history and cannot be resolved overnight. China and Japan are both important countries in Asia and the world, and peace and security between the two countries have a bearing on peace and security in Asia and the world. China and Japan should seek a peaceful solution to the Diaoyu Dao issue through dialogue and negotiation, instead of intensifying the contradictions over the Diaoyu Dao issue through force and threats.
Second, China and Japan should strengthen exchanges and cooperation to enhance mutual understanding and trust. Although the Diaoyu Dao issue is important, it is not the whole of Sino-Japanese relations, nor should it become a stumbling block in Sino-Japanese relations. China and Japan share extensive common interests and room for cooperation in the economic, cultural, and cultural fields, but they also face many common challenges and problems. China and Japan should take the issue of the Diaoyu Islands issue as an opportunity to strengthen exchanges and cooperation at all levels, enhance mutual understanding and trust, and promote the comprehensive development of China-Japan relations.
Finally, China and Japan should respect international law and international order and maintain regional peace and stability. The Diaoyu Dao issue has a bearing not only on the interests of China and Japan, but also on the interests of other countries and regions. As an important international participant, the United States should play a constructive role on the issue of the Diaoyu Islands, instead of making petty moves and sowing discord. Other countries and regions should also view the issue of the Diaoyu Islands objectively and fairly, and not be misled by Japan's erroneous position. China and Japan should abide by international law and order, resolve disputes through peaceful means, and jointly safeguard regional peace and stability.
In short, China's year-round patrolling of the Diaoyu Islands is an important move by China in safeguarding its territorial sovereignty and a new test for China-Japan relations. China and Japan should adopt a rational and cooperative attitude to properly handle the issue of the Diaoyu Islands and promote the healthy development of bilateral relations. In this way, we will be able to contribute to peace and prosperity in Asia and the world.