Why in news?
China dismissed Japan’s protests over its development of gas fields in the East China Sea, where the two countries’ Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) claims overlap. The incident has renewed focus on the region’s disputes.
About the East China Sea
- Location: The East China Sea is a marginal sea of the western Pacific Ocean. It is bounded by China to the west, Japan to the east, Taiwan to the south and South Korea to the north.
- Size and depth: Covering around 1.25 million square kilometres, it is relatively shallow with an average depth of about 350 metres.
- Geographical connections: It connects to the Yellow Sea through the Korea Strait in the north, to the South China Sea through the Taiwan Strait in the south, and to the Pacific Ocean through the Miyako Strait in the east.
- Important islands: The uninhabited Senkaku/Diaoyu islands, controlled by Japan but claimed by China and Taiwan, lie in the sea.
Geopolitical disputes
- EEZ boundaries: Japan advocates the median‑line principle for dividing the sea, while China claims a continental‑shelf extension up to the Okinawa Trough.
- Island dispute: The Senkaku/Diaoyu islands are a major flashpoint, with regular patrols and protests by both sides.
- Energy exploration: Both countries are eager to exploit potential oil and gas reserves beneath the sea floor. Unilateral development has led to diplomatic protests.
Conclusion: The East China Sea is strategically and economically important, hosting rich fisheries and suspected hydrocarbon deposits. Competing territorial claims make it a sensitive area where diplomacy and adherence to international law are essential.