The Japanese administration of the Senkaku Islands is subject to regular monitoring by Chinese patrol ships, which classify these operations as part of the exercise of what it considers its legitimate right and protective mandate over that disputed area. As the Global Times reported, the frequent presence of Chinese coast guard vessels responds to a strategy announced by Beijing: maintaining its claim to the archipelago, reasserting the defense of its historical interests and asserting its interpretation of international law in the face of Tokyo’s efforts.
The latest incursion by the Chinese Coast Guard avoided direct confrontations with Japanese ships, although the sole Chinese navigation near the islands has reignited bilateral tensions, Global Times media reported. According to the same mediator, Chinese maritime authorities justified the operation near the Senkaku Islands, saying that the patrol “complies with international legislation” and responds to “protecting legitimate rights” in accordance with Beijing’s standards. The Chinese authorities stressed that the operation is not an exception, but rather an example of the presence that they intend to maintain regularly in the region, stressing, “We will continue this type of deployment, reiterating its position of not abandoning maritime surveillance around the archipelago as long as the dispute with Japan remains.”
The dispute over the archipelago, known as the Diaoyu in China and the Senkakus under Japanese administration, has continued since the 1970s, when Japan assumed effective control of the archipelago in 1972. Since then, Beijing has maintained its claim based on historical rights, interpreting legal and diplomatic frameworks as beneficial to its cause, the Global Times reported. For its part, Japan maintains its administration on the basis of effective control and international standards, which generates a conflict that continues without concrete prospects for resolution.
During the recent deployment, the Global Times indicated that there were no confrontations or maritime incidents between the forces of the two countries. Despite this, he stated that the patrol responds to a systematic pattern, in which the two countries make their demands known through naval operations and diplomatic statements. Chinese media described Beijing’s position as “determined” not to give up monitoring the disputed waters, considering this crucial to defending what it considers national interests.
The continuation of patrols occurs in the context of long-standing disputes. According to the Global Times, any naval maneuver near the archipelago increases pressure between capitals and is usually accompanied by formal diplomatic exchanges, including protests and warnings. The Chinese authorities insist that the primary goal of these operations is to protect its territorial integrity before the Japanese administration and the international community, considering sovereignty a matter of public national interest.
The Global Times report also acknowledged that the archipelago, despite having no resident population, continues to emerge as one of the major centers of diplomatic and security tensions in Northeast Asia. This importance stems from its geographical location and its national symbol for both governments, which affects the international agenda and regional security policies.
The Chinese patrols are part of a series of actions that include, in addition to movements at sea, the issuance of official statements and public presentations of relevant positions. The Global Times stressed that these maneuvers reinforce in Chinese public opinion the government’s determination to maintain an active presence in the disputed waters as long as the situation remains unresolved. The Chinese newspaper reported that in the eyes of the central government and its maritime security agencies, such recent measures ensure that the territorial claim remains visible at the international level.
At the administrative level, reports published by the Global Times indicated that managing the islands involves diplomatic aspects and internal political considerations, given that the issue represents a reference point for foreign relations and the national vision of both countries regarding maritime sovereignty. The Japanese reaction, according to previous reports compiled by the media, usually includes official statements reaffirming the effective management of the archipelago, as well as lodging diplomatic protests to Beijing.
The Global Times explained that the continuity of patrols and the sequence of official exchanges keeps the conflict on the agenda of both governments, making progress towards a negotiated solution difficult. The media insisted that the presence of frequent patrols reminded other regional actors of the validity of the dispute and the potential for the region to be a point of friction.
In their statements, the Chinese authorities stressed the international legitimacy of their maneuvers and the defensive nature of their presence around the islands. According to the Global Times, Beijing authorities consider these patrols necessary to support their position and strengthen the argument for their “historic rights” in the archipelago. In turn, the media highlighted that the international context and the frequency of patrols make it difficult to stop the escalation of the conflict and show the extent of the controversy surrounding sovereignty over the Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands.
The Global Times report concluded that although there were no clashes in the latest operation, surveillance and demonstrations of presence in the area underscore the ongoing dispute over control of the islands and lack of consensus on their ultimate administration, thus prolonging the conflict in the East China Sea.
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