Taiwan, War if necessary China Strong Protest

Japanese government has put out a lease on Senkaku islands (Chinese name: Daioui islands· 釣魚島), an much disputed islands in South China Sea. This act has brought another round of dispute over dominium of this island. The Chinese government has summoned the Japanese ambassador and lodges a strong protest. The Taiwanese government is ready to declare war over this issue. The latest Japanese act has brought much controversy.

▽Chinese, strong protest – On 5th January, the Government-owned Shinhwa Broadcasting has announced that Chinese Foreign Affair Ministry has lodged a strong protest with the Japanese ambassador for Japanese government’s lease on Daioui islands.

Mr. Wang, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affair had summoned Anami Goresigae, Japanese ambassador to China to the ministry.

According to Shinhwa Broadcasting, “Daioui islands are a part of Chinese territory since the ancient times. We have undisputed historical and legal evidences,” said Mr. Wang,

He also said, “Japanese act upon these islands is illegal therefore invalid”. He demand immediate end to the acts that provoke hostility between both nations.

On 3rd January, the Chinese Foreign ministry has also summoned Gumamaru Yugi, Japanese consul to China lodge a strong complaint that the Japan has violated the Chinese sovereignty. During that time, Gurumaru has replied that according to historical and international law, Senkaku islands are Japanese territory. But he will convey Chinese complaint to Japan.

On 4th January, a Hong Kong non-government organization called the ‘Daioui Guardian Committee’ has announced that together with the Taiwanese group, they plan to land their members on the islands in May. This NGO organization has declared that Japanese lease act can’t be tolerated and began their fund raising activities in the Hong Kong downtown. This organization has sent some protest vessels to the islands on several occasions in past three years. In 1998, when Japanese tried to inspect their vessels under violation of territorial waters, four of its members jumped overboard and one got drowned in the process.

▽Taiwan, ready for war – Taiwan has also protested against Japanese lease act. After emphasizing the Taiwanese dominium of the Daioui islands, Mr. Cheon, Deputy Minister of Defense has warned Japan that the Taiwanese military is ready to defend the Taiwanese sovereignty by war if necessary.

▽Source of conflict – On 1st January, the Yomiuri Daily Newspaper of Japan has announced that the Japanese government has lease three of the five Senkaku islands for 22,560,000 Yens (2.2 billion wons) from their property owners in last April. Under Japanese law, three of the islands are owned by Japanese nationals.

With this act, the Japan has acquired legal basis for preventing sale and illegal landing by third parties in order to confirm their sovereign possession.

Since the possibility of oil deposits in the Senkaku islands was announced in the 1970s, China, Japan and Taiwan have intensify their conflicts over the dominium of the islands. The civilian nationals of these countries have construct lighthouses and attempted to land on several occasions. Every attempt was met with much controversy and conflicts occurred.

Hun-Joo Cho hanscho@donga.com