Issue of Diaoyu islands to make Sino-Japan relation worse?

_{Issue of Diaoyu islands to make Sino-Japan relation worse?}

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2010-8-19 15:01


Recently, Japanese media has shifted their focus on the US stance on the Diaoyu islands (the Senkaku Islands).


It's reported that the Obama administration has decided not to state explicitly that Diaoyu islands are subject to the Japan-U.S. security treaty.


Reports also say the Obama administration has already notified Japan of the change in policy, but Tokyo may have to take countermeasures in light of China's increasing activities in the East China Sea.


Analysis from Japanese media points out this is a shift from the position of George W. Bush, which could become a source of concern for Tokyo as it addresses moves by Beijing, the sources said.


It says Washington is believed to have shifted its position to avoid irritating Beijing amid efforts to ensure continued cooperation with China to keep the U.S. economy's recovery on track from the financial crisis.


On August 16,  in the regular State Department press briefing, when asked by a reporter on US stance on the Diaoyu islands, the U.S. State Department spokesman Crowley said that the U.S. policy is long-term and has never changed. The United States has no position on the issue of sovereignty of Diaoyu Islands and hopes this issue could be revolved between parties through peaceful means.



However, as Crowley didn't make a direct answer to "whether the Japan-US Security Treaty covers the Diaoyu Islands", the reporter continued to ask.


Finally, the Crowley answered that the Diaoyu Islands are under the administrative control of the government of Japan under the declaration of Article V of the Treaty, which applies to the territories under the administration of Japan. He said, "So, if you want to ask whether the treaty applies to the Diaoyu Islands, The answer is 'yes'."



US' statement seems to ease Japan. Some Japanese median say US recognize the Treaty applies to the Diaoyu Islands. Crowley also states the US stance on the Diaoyu islands is not changed.


However, other Japanese median still show their worries. Analysis points out Crowley didn't recognize directly that the Treaty applies to the Diaoyu Islands, but indirectly. Analysis stresses that in March 2004, then State Department deputy spokesman Adam Ereli told reporters, "The Diaoyu Islands have been under the administrative control of the government of Japan since having been returned as part of the reversion of Okinawa in 1972."


According to a Chinese scholar from Tsinghua University, Japanese median's hype intends to ask US to make promise and to return to its original stance.




Sino-Japan relation is improving as Japan makes a progress - no single member from the Cabinet of Prime Minister Naoto Kan visited Yasukuni Shrine. However, will Sino-Japan relation descend to low ebb as Japanese media hype up the issue of Diaoyu islands? 43