Q. Which one of the following statements best reflects the issue with Senkaku Islands, sometimes mentioned in the news?

It is generally believed that they are artificial islands made by a country around South China Sea.
China and Japan engage in maritime disputes over these islands in East China Sea.
A permanent American military base has been set up there to help Taiwan to increase its defence capabilities.
Though International Court of Justice declared them as no man’s land, some South-East Asian countries claim them.

Answer: (b) China and Japan engage in maritime disputes over these islands in East China Sea.

The Senkaku/Diaoyu islands were formally claimed by Japan in 1895 and have been privately owned by a series of Japanese citizens for most of the past 120 years.
China began to reassert claims over the Senkaku/Diaoyu islands in the 1970s, citing historic rights to the area.
Tensions between China and Japan over the contested Senkaku/Diaoyu islands continue to increase as both countries improve their military capabilities, particularly their radar and missile systems, in the region.

Japan’s Position:

Administrative Clarity: The name change aims to eliminate administrative confusion arising from the similarity between the island’s name and a locality in downtown Ishigaki.
Responding to Chinese Presence: The name change is also a response to China’s growing presence in the waters surrounding the Senkaku Islands. It is seen as a measure to safeguard Japan’s territorial integrity.
US Support: Japan has a mutual defense treaty with the United States, which mandates US defense of Japan in case of an attack on its territory.

China’s Position:

Territorial Sovereignty: China views Japan’s decision as a blatant provocation to its territorial sovereignty. It considers the move illegal and illegitimate.
Adherence to Four-Principle Consensus: China urges Japan to uphold the spirit of the four-principle consensus, refrain from stirring tensions over the Diaoyu Islands, and take concrete steps to maintain stability in the East China Sea.
Four-Point Principle: The four-point principle on improving China-Japan ties was adopted in 2014 to foster a mutually beneficial relationship based on shared strategic interests.