Russia is eyeing the four northern islands? What's the situation, why doesn't this land have the heart of Japan?
In the face of the issue of the four northern islands, Russia's actions have attracted widespread attention. In the context of international relations and geopolitics, this issue involves a territorial dispute between Russia and Japan, and also reflects Russia's strategic adjustment in the Far East. Russia's new moves towards the four northern islands, especially its invitation to Chinese companies, have raised many questions. In order to understand this situation, we need to delve behind the scenes and understand Russia's strategic intentions and changes in international relations.
First, the roots of the four northern islands can be traced back to the mid-19th century. In 1855, through the Russo-Japanese Peace Treaty, the Kuril Islands were assigned to **. And at the end of World War II, in 1945, the Soviet Union occupied the South Kuril Islands, including the four northern islands. After the war, according to the Potsdam Proclamation, Japan renounced its sovereignty over the South Kuril Islands. However, the question of the ownership of the four northern islands was further complicated by the fact that the Soviet Union did not sign the San Francisco Peace Treaty. The two sides have been unable to reach an agreement on the territorial dispute, and Russia's recent actions seem to have brought new variables to the issue.
On January 11, 2023, Vladimir Putin visited the Far East and emphasized in particular the importance of the development of the tourism industry in the South Kuril Islands. He proposed to create a tourism industry cluster in the South Kuril Islands and promised to visit the islands to observe. This move has caused speculation and interpretation from the outside world. Does Russia's strategic show of strength mean that the four northern islands will become Russia's new targets? From an economic point of view, the development of the tourism industry in the South Kuril Islands by Russia has an intrinsic logic. Globalization is deepening, and the demand for tourism value of extreme natural landscapes is rising, and the unique natural environment of the South Kuril Islands makes it a potential tourist hotspot. By developing tourism, Russia will not only be able to boost the local economy and promote employment, but also demonstrate its ability to effectively manage and develop the region on the international stage.
However, what is striking is that Russia has not only taken a tough stance on the issue of the four northern islands, but has also taken the initiative to invite Chinese companies to jointly develop the Kuril Islands, including the four northern islands, in direct disregard of Japan. According to the Russian Deputy Prime Minister, more than a year ago, Russia began to work on the development of the Kuril Islands, launching as many as 29 projects. Obviously, this move is not only a strategic show of strength to Japan, but also reflects the fine-tuning and adjustment of Russia's strategic layout in the Far East. In addition to increasing preferential treatment, Russia's action is also a manifestation of the in-depth strengthening of strategic cooperation with China. Twenty-three Chinese companies have already submitted proposals to Russia on cooperation in the development of the Kuril Islands. Russia's positive response to Chinese enterprises indicates that the depth and breadth of cooperation between the two sides in the development of the Kuril Islands are deepening. This also provides an opportunity for the two sides to find more practical and effective cooperation points in the future. At last year's Sino-Russian Tourism Forum, Russia put forward the idea of developing ecotourism in the Kuril Islands. This idea shows a possible path for the Russian side to develop the Kuril Islands, as well as its determination to develop tourism and attract foreign tourists. In the field of tourism, the Chinese market has great potential, and the tourism cooperation between China and Russia is expected to bring new development opportunities to the Kuril Islands and even the four northern islands.
However, Japan is unhappy with Russia's moves, and many of its moves on the four northern islands also show its intention to gain more interests in the region. Against the backdrop of the current international situation, Japan's position and actions seem to be limited. By inviting Chinese companies to participate in the development, Russia has not only supported its claims to the four northern islands, but also further consolidated its strategic partnership with China in this way. This has also injected new impetus into the economic development of the Kuril Islands and the Far East as a whole.
Looking ahead, resolving the territorial dispute over the four northern islands will require diplomatic wisdom and courage on both sides, and more patience and time. In this process, we should not only focus on the actual control of the territory, but also look for a win-win solution from the perspective of promoting regional stability and development and strengthening people-to-people exchanges and cooperation. Despite the bumpy and uncertain road, through sustained dialogue and pragmatic cooperation, we believe that one day, a peaceful solution to this unresolved issue of history can be found that is acceptable to both sides.