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China, Japan scholars seek way out in islands dispute

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I've mention this before, I will said it again. Just go to the ICJ!

4 ( +6 / -2 )

China, Japan scholars seek way out in islands dispute

Why not just debate this issue in a U.N. sanctioned judicial organ called International Court of Justice?

3 ( +5 / -2 )

Yes China, bigger, wealthier, and stronger militarily would like to keep all these territorial issues separate, China-Japan, China-Vietnam, China-Philippines, etc. And we should all ignore China's declaration that they intend to take control over the East and South China Seas. The U.S. should stay out of China's way.

Back in 80s, US transfered some tech and economic aids to China for strategic counter balance for Soviet. Stronger China is a mess of US own doing. When US want to knock out Soviet, they used PRC and Bin Laden. Now PRC is new Soviet for them. Bin Laden was also poisonous. Although he was killed, his network is still active and out of control.

History has showed the more US involved, the more chaotic. Arab Spring is also another nightmare. If US retire as global policeman, things will be better and orderly.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Yes, China would be happy with a joint ownership up to the very day that there was an economic benefit to them. Then we would be back to square one. There are already Chinese fishermen trying to benefit by fishing in the area, so I think this idea was dead before it left the professor's mouth.

It would be better for Japan to defend the islands than give a single inch. China is just to grabby and cannot be trusted. Just look at what China's little friend NK does, it makes promises for economic support then they don't hold up their side of the bargain. I only expect the same from China, except with a little more sophistication than NK.

2 ( +5 / -3 )

I say give them to Taiwan - probably the most rightful owner of the lot of them.

2 ( +6 / -4 )

China would just probably demand that '...rival claimants resolve the disputes through one-on-one negotiations' as they are doing to the Philippines

You cite a view of one of the representative of U.S. lawmaker when the State Department has been calling for "We continue to urge all parties to clarify and pursue their territorial and maritime claims in accordance with international law, including the Law of the Sea Convention. We believe that claimants should explore every diplomatic or other peaceful avenue for resolution, including the use of arbitration or other international legal mechanisms as needed. "

I think we can all agree that both sides aren't going to give an inch so why not just settle the soverignty issue via ICJ. I mean, the whole point of ICJ is to resolve disputes in a peaceful manner in accordance with international law when both parties exhausted all avenues of bi lateral negotiations.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

China & Japan should work together to solve this problem, without any outside interference .

2 ( +2 / -0 )

TheDevils Assistant: ""Wanted?" Is this already considered a war?"

It's called 'reported speech', my friend. They still don't want war, I'm assuming, but the meeting is past tense, and hence what was said can be past tense, like if my friend calls and my wife asks, "What did he want?" and I say, "He wanted to go to coffee tomorrow". Doesn't mean he still doesn't.

Anyway, they'll never agree. All they can do is avoid the issue of sovereignty and work on jointly developing the gas fields. That's the only way tensions are going to simmer. Japan said it won't budge on ownership, so the issue needs to be avoided altogether if ties are to improve.

1 ( +5 / -4 )

I thought China has been engaging in "Unrestricted Warfare" already and their "vital" interest is to control the island at any cost.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

@Hansaram @nigelboy re: International Court of Justice

China would just probably demand that '...rival claimants resolve the disputes through one-on-one negotiations' as they are doing to the Philippines

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/breaking-news/2013/01/29/china-urged-face-philippines-un-tribunal-265400

1 ( +1 / -0 )

China wants everything up to the Okinawa Trench - if that had been done in the North Sea, Britain's sector would have extended to the Norwegian shoreline. China doesn't want to lose access to the oil and gas fields - well, the median line appears to traverse the fields near enough exactly down the middle. A sensible start would be: put a 200 mile circle around "the islands" and put them to one side for the moment. Draw and agree a median line through the rest of the East China Sea based on assuming "the islands" don't exist. Now, start licensing exploration. Brownie points to the country that suggests this first.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Rob Robertson Jan. 30, 2013 - 08:06AM JST China & Japan should work together to solve this problem, without any outside interference .

Yes you'd love that wouldn't you. Yes China, bigger, wealthier, and stronger militarily would like to keep all these territorial issues separate, China-Japan, China-Vietnam, China-Philippines, etc. And we should all ignore China's declaration that they intend to take control over the East and South China Seas. The U.S. should stay out of China's way.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

A great opportunity for two countries to work together - unfortunately an increasingly expansive, nationalistic China will just undermine any joint efforts. Wait until the country implodes within a decade, then come back again in a century after China has split apart into multiple nation states like all the XXX-stans. By then, Japan should be working with Taiwan on joint exploration anyway.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Surf> doesn't work, someone has to administer/manage the area, who is that going to be? At the moment it is Japan, as has been for the last half century until greedy China poked their beaks in at the slightest hint of oil (UN report).

0 ( +4 / -4 )

Territorial issues, anything can happen if Guam is a part of US. The poor mircopolonisians whos culture and heritage has been entirely demolished by the Americans. Their infrastructure is poor but yet they need to support a large military buildup in the area, all to US mainland benefit.

0 ( +5 / -5 )

Japan should hope that no oil or gas is found. Because if it is found, not only China will claim them but US will probably support China to claim them. Think about this, China is willing to go head to head with US in order to secure oil productions in Iran and Sudan. That's high stake poker and both sides know each other's hand. They are trying to prolong the game without showing their hands. Unfortunately, Japan is not even in the picture for all this.

By China claiming these resources, it can alleviate its thirst to acquire more resources where US and other powers compete. And you can bet that US and other powers wont get into this conflict in the East China Sea so its one stone kills two birds. The only losses will be Japan.

In the greater scheme of global strategic resource development, I think US is in agreement with China that limiting competition is beneficial to both countries. And I can foresee a great chance that US might sacrifice Japan's interest in order to gain from less competition from China in other arenas. Remember, in the energy game, Japan and US are competitors, not friends.

Also, don't think US corporations won't gain from this. US has most of the companies that make drilling platforms, oil pipes and deep sea extraction equipments. US companies can profit tremendously from China's deep sea development. That might just be enough oil to grease the palm, no pun intended.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

TamaramaJan. 29, 2013 - 05:25PM JST I say give them to Taiwan - probably the most rightful owner of the lot of them.

As soon as Taiwan becomes a globally recognized sovereign nation and not a Chinese province I'm sure that could be considered.

0 ( +5 / -5 )

highball7Jan. 29, 2013 - 05:48PM JST Japan should hope that no oil or gas is found. Because if it is found, not only China will claim them but US will >probably support China to claim them

I doubt that very much,

0 ( +5 / -5 )

Chinese Communist leaders will go to War if Oil and Gas was found near the Island. It’s bad idea. It'll lead to the War. One of my Chinese friends told me, Chinese fishermen need fishing ground in East and South East China Sea. It’s what Communist leaders are talking to their peoples. So Japanese Government should let Communist Chinese fishing boats to catch limited quota around East China Sea. I'm not sure Communist leaders will satisfy or not. I'm sure Communist Government wants it fishing boats can catch fish without problem near the Island.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I'm disgusted that Beijing is even involved in these talks. The debate is between Japan and Taiwan, the only othe rpossible claimant to these islands.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

@Nathaw Here we go, with "blame America first"... ;)

Within 15 yrs China quadrupled their economy. . Why was PRC successful? US gave PRC special treatment like Allies. If US did not transfer tech, PRC defense is nowhere near today. US is responsible for PRC is leapfrogging high tech. Back then Main concern for US was containment of USSR. It did not expect PRC growth will be rapid fire movement.

Why PRC sustain average GDP 10% for 30 yrs? The main reason was US market was flooded with PRC goods. It was good for US consumers. It was good for low inflation. However the downside is US trade deficit has been sky rocketing.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

If oil is found Japan would be in no position for production. China would get all of the production while Japan look STUPID as usual. If the islands are given up they would soon sprout Mainland Chinese bases and missiles. Defending Okinawa would be much harder. Am not sure if it would be possible the Dragon at the door while the Eagle is in our nest. Americans do not see land like the people of Okinawa. They rent it instead of really buying it. In our culture though not so much in the past we only oversea the land and it is our duty to pass it down to the next generations.

-1 ( +6 / -7 )

It is truly time to put china in its place, China has always been a Bully, has always declared everything there, well the new error is here, as soon as China reacts foolishly with the warning shots put across they plains or ships, China will have opened a door which they cannot close, this is not any threat it is a cold fact, Ha! China when you choose to act, make sure you have your single Aircraft carrier far out to see because that will be the first piece of equipment China will lose, China is taking land belonging to the Philippines and Vietnam and Malaysia, China does not own the West Philippines sea, China does not own the Vietnam sea, and China does not own the Malaysian sea, yes it is making claims to it, there is a 200 mile international Boundary, therefore China is refusing to Honor International Law, wherefore it is no Chinas time to enter the arms disagreement, in a word, A War against China, You really believe Russia will not stand up with the EU and the United States, Honestly, Russia will be in the front row as they want to chock up the number of planes they shot down and mark up the number of ships they blew up and sank, Russia hates china most EU countries do not like how China is manipulating its currency acting like a Poor Country, Yes the time is ripe and we are all ready, when that word is given, not one missile will fall on Japan as it will never pass through the net, so Let your generals make their foolish statement that firing across the bow is a first strike, it is international Law a warning shot is legal to warn off someone intruding on another airspace which includes their sea territory, so let your Chinese admiral and generals start just once, China better start to come into line as china will not have any arms left in its country, we as a group took ut half of Europe and disarmed that war, you believe we cannot? Well Baby, Give your surprise attack your best shot because you will awaken all the tigers in this world. * Please Japan Let China do what it says, We beg you, Lets finally put an end to there threats!

-1 ( +7 / -8 )

As a neutral, I've got my fingers crossed both these cousins will bang their heads together and nut something out soon. The politicians in both joints are loving this issue as it is diverting the public's attention from the many massive crises both nations face. Sort it out!

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

The dancer does not invite the Top to his party. They should have invited professor Kiyoshi Inoue from Kyoto University, Tadayoshi Murata from Yokohama National University, and Professor Kevin Lochmeyer from University of New Zealand. I am sure they would gladly explain who the rightful owner of these islands is. And I do not mean who is currently administering them through loopholes. You can type senkaku or diaoyu along with their names in your browser and you will get a return where they explain their points of views, or, the provide additional references to their work.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

How silly. Any of those proposals are a "win" for China. Japan either owns those islands or not, making any kind of "concessions" would be simply handing over at least part of the control of them to China.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

@tokyostar, " doesn't work, someone has to administer/manage the area,"

Where is that rule written, and by whom was it written?

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Nabuo Fukuda, the journalist, missed the fact that the disputed area was the only waterway for China to the pacific ocean. It's impossible for China to sit back. If no oil was not discovered the dispute would be still there.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Nabuo Fukuda, the journalist, missed the fact that the disputed area was the only waterway for China to the pacific ocean

YoKoWang, they could go between any of the other Okinawan islands, and can also go south between Taiwan and the Philippines, or south past Hong Kong and the Spratlys.

And perhaps if the PRC thinks that access to the Pacific Ocean is a natural right of theirs, they can try getting along with countries that actually border the Pacific.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

neither side wanted the conflict to escalate into war.

"Wanted?" Is this already considered a war?

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

@Nathaw Here we go, with "blame America first"... ;)

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

I think we can all agree that both sides aren't going to give an inch so why not just settle the soverignty issue via ICJ. I mean, the whole point of ICJ is to resolve disputes in a peaceful manner in accordance with international law when both parties exhausted all avenues of bi lateral negotiations.

That is, for all intents and purposes, basically right.

This dispute is benefiting nobody but the war mongers, and is causing substantial hardship to the citizens of both countries.

I'm not opposed to the current bilateral effort, but if it fails, both countries should seriously consider the ICJ, as that would be the responsible way to go.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

How about if NO government has sovereignty over the islets? Make the entire area a nature preserve and no natural resource exploration nor fishing within 100km.

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

@OssanAmerica

In fact, U.S doesn't help anyone. U.S always been like that. What is 'Rainbow War Plans' if it's not U.S agenda for containment. Using small countries as chess piece. Provoke each other so you have a reason to invade in the name of democracy.

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

^ It's factual. Funny you ;)

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

avigator, thanks for the refs.

-4 ( +0 / -4 )

I would like a diplomatic solution. I think the Chinese government has no rights to the islands but I'm glad (at least some of) the academics are using their heads (non-intended joke) and placing importance on facts/common sense rather than rhetoric.

-5 ( +0 / -5 )

China & Japan should work together to solve this problem. Also in order to take over U.S & any western hegemony in globalization.

-5 ( +0 / -5 )

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