The Diaoyu Islands Conflict

[Persephone]

Last but not least....

The second piece evidence is a Chinese map from 1958 that excludes the Senkaku Islands from Chinese territory. But the Japanese government’s partial unveiling leaves out important information from the map’s colophon: “certain national boundaries are based on maps compiled prior to the Second Sino-Japanese War(1937-1945).”

Qing period (1644-1911) records substantiate Chinese ownership of the Diaoyu/Senkaku Islands prior to 1895. Envoy documents indicate that the islands reside inside the “border that separates Chinese and foreign lands.” And according to Taiwan gazetteers, “Diaoyu Island accommodates ten or more large ships” under the jurisdiction of Kavalan, Taiwan.

The right to know is the bedrock of every democracy. The Japanese public deserves to know the other side of the story. It is the politicians who flame public sentiments under the name of national interests who pose the greatest risk, not the islands themselves.

Update: The author would like to include an updated image of the Qing era documents that recorded, “Diaoyutai Island accommodates ten or more large ships”, as mentioned in his blog post.


Record of Missions to Taiwan Waters (1722), Gazetteer of Kavalan County (1852), and Pictorial Treatise of Taiwan Proper (1872).National Palace Museum, Taipei, Taiwan.Record of Missions to Taiwan Waters (1722), Gazetteer of Kavalan County (1852), and Pictorial Treatise of Taiwan Proper (1872).

[GMan88]

So... according to his research, it belongs to china/taiwan, and should've been returned under the San Francisco Peace Treaty of 1951. What now? Japan's "administration" of the islands is illegal? aside from china/taiwan, who can declare it so?

[Tiberius Duval]

Originally Posted by GMan88

So... according to his research, it belongs to china/taiwan, and should've been returned under the San Francisco Peace Treaty of 1951. What now? Japan's "administration" of the islands is illegal? aside from china/taiwan, who can declare it so?

One question for Gman88, do Spratly Islands belong to China or Philippines? Lets think that Japan will stand back, then do you think Chinese will let their other claims just to be, or will they increase pressure against other countries. I understand that you as Philippino like Japanese about as much as I as Finn like Russians, but think about this calmly...

[Salinator]

Originally Posted by Tiberius Duval

One question for Gman88, do Spratly Islands belong to China or Philippines? Lets think that Japan will stand back, then do you think Chinese will let their other claims just to be, or will they increase pressure against other countries. I understand that you as Philippino like Japanese about as much as I as Finn like Russians, but think about this calmly...

Neither. The ROC was the first to claim it militarily, and it was returned to them post WWII. The stone marker there says it is ROC. BUT, I would rather it go to the Philippines than to PRC should ROC not be able to continue to defend her claim. GM knows that the Philippines have the weaker claim based mostly on Maritime Law.

[Tiberius Duval]

Originally Posted by Salinator

Neither. The ROC was the first to claim it militarily, and it was returned to them post WWII. The stone marker there says it is ROC. BUT, I would rather it go to the Philippines than to PRC should ROC not be able to continue to defend her claim. GM knows that the Philippines have the weaker claim based mostly on Maritime Law.

ROC's claims are considered by mainland Chinese as theirs as they think ROC as only rebellious province. Do you seriously think PRC will forget those claims after they win against Japanese claims?

[GMan88]

Originally Posted by Tiberius Duval

One question for Gman88, do Spratly Islands belong to China or Philippines? Lets think that Japan will stand back, then do you think Chinese will let their other claims just to be, or will they increase pressure against other countries. I understand that you as Philippino like Japanese about as much as I as Finn like Russians, but think about this calmly...

Okay, there are several assumptions here, pardon me if I have to correct a few of.

I still recall the audiovisual we had during college of the Japanese atrocities here, and I can't say my classmates' reactions were the same as mine.

When you say the Japanese will stand back, do you mean regarding the spratleys or the senkaku/diaoyudai? Re the spratleys, Japan has no claim to act on in this case, nor any valid or binding agreements obligating them to act. Of course, it won't stop them from voluntarily helping one or more other claimants (as they've done in our case with the 10 patrol boat donation.)

I think so long as no negotiations are taking place AND actions are being undertaken by other claimants, china will keep adding hard pressure.

[GMan88]

Originally Posted by Tiberius Duval

ROC's claims are considered by mainland Chinese as theirs as they think ROC as only rebellious province. Do you seriously think PRC will forget those claims after they win against Japanese claims?

No they won't, but they'd be foolish if they alienate taiwan now, not when their relations are getting warm.

[GMan88]

Originally Posted by Salinator

Neither. The ROC was the first to claim it militarily, and it was returned to them post WWII. The stone marker there says it is ROC. BUT, I would rather it go to the Philippines than to PRC should ROC not be able to continue to defend her claim. GM knows that the Philippines have the weaker claim based mostly on Maritime Law.

I'm not terribly impressed with the basis of our claim, but I hope as you do that we get it, too

[Tiberius Duval]

Originally Posted by GMan88

When you say the Japanese will stand back, do you mean regarding the spratleys or the senkaku/diaoyudai? Re the spratleys, Japan has no claim to act on in this case, nor any valid or binding agreements obligating them to act. Of course, it won't stop them from voluntarily helping one or more other claimants (as they've done in our case with the 10 patrol boat donation.)

Senkaku/diaoyudai case. It just gives Chinese boost to their morale, and more reason to bully others, in other disagreed areas.