Author: Seokwoo Lee
The on-going territorial dispute between Japan, the People's Republic of China and the Republic of China over the Pinnacle Islands/Senkaku Islands/Diao-yu-tai involves a number of significant issues, including future offshore oil development. The dispute has impeded the promotion of stability in East Asia and, in particular, bilateral relations between Japan and China and Japan and Taiwan. This Briefing, the second in Dr. Lee's series on East Asian boundary disputes, begins by examining the geographical and historical background to the dispute. It then analyses the legal arguments concerning sovereignty over the islands made by the three claimants. This analysis includes assessment of a potential critical date for the dispute and the implication of existing treaties between the parties. Lastly, the author seeks to discern which of the claimant states has the best legal claim to the important Pinnacle Islands/Senkaku Islands/Diao-yu-tai.
See also Boundary & Territory Briefings Vol. 3 No. 6 and Vol. 3 No. 8 for information on two additional island dispute in East Asia involving Japan.
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