International Law Regulation of Territorial Dispute in the East China Sea Between Japan and China

Dimitrijević, Duško (2011) International Law Regulation of Territorial Dispute in the East China Sea Between Japan and China. The Review of International Affairs, LXII (1144). pp. 68-77. ISSN 0486-6096

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Abstract

The present article deals principally with certain aspects concerning the possible International law regulation of the Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands dispute between Japan and China. The Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands dispute has seen sporadic flare-up over the last few decades that have led to bilateral tensions. Since rich natural and energy resources were founded in the continental shelf of the East China Sea and the contiguous area of the Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands in the late 1960s, the East China Sea started to be place of territorial disputes between Japan and China. Although both States have signed the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, they go up against in their interpretations of how the Convention applies to the disputed area. The two countries have conflicting views on where the demarcation line between their respective exclusive economic zones and continental shelf’s should be placed. In spite of previous efforts to institutionalize the territorial dispute, the East China Sea has remained key waters for both countries wishing to gain or preserve geopolitical influence in the region. However, since the beginning of the 21st century, the political and security environment has changed, Japan and China evaluate its territorial approaches and foster their relationship in the East China Sea, because the management of territorial dispute has great influence on regional as well as international stability.

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