Aerial view of the disputed Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands. (Image via CNN)

China wants Japan ease sovereignty over islets, Japan: No

On Thursday, China stated its request to Japan that it should ease bilateral tensions over the sovereignty of the Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands. However, according to the top spokesman of the Japanese government, Japan will not do China's bidding. Moreover, Japan saw China's request as an attempt to bolster Beijing's assertiveness over Tokyo's territory.

During a press conference on Thursday, the Chief Cabinet Secretary, Katsunobu Kato, called out China's bold request and referred to it as "unacceptable". Kato added that from the historical viewpoint and according to the international law, Senkaku Islands are but Japan's possession.

During his state visit, China's Foreign Minister, Wang Yi, stated that Japanese and Chinese fishing boats should go from the uninhabited islets in the East China Sea. Instead, only the official government ships should be allowed to sail near the islets. Wang reasoned that the steps would prevent suspicious boats from entering the waters.

Reiterating Tokyo's stance over the Senkaku Islands' ownership, Kato stated that Japanese fishing boats should have no problem sailing there as it is included in Japan's territory. Administered by Japan and claimed by China & Taiwan, Beijing has increased its assertiveness over the islands, which it calls Diaoyu, by sending coast guard ships despite protests from Tokyo.

Following his meeting with the Prime Minister (PM) of Japan, Yoshihide Suga, Wang hoped that the dispute over the islets would not disrupt the cooperation between China and Japan as the world's second and third-largest economies. Suga, on the other hand, asked China to act positively to ease tension while promoting the resume of business travel between the countries and cooperation for the successful 2022 Tokyo Summer Olympics & Paralympics, and Winter Games in Beijing.

Source: https://bit.ly/3fCnQyp