Publication

This ICG report focuses on the disputed sovereignty of the Diaoyu/Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea. When Japan purchased three of the islets from a private owner in September 2012, it immediately provoked punitive reactions from China, to include the creation of 'territorial baselines' around the islands. In lieu of such unhelpful behavior, this report recommends steps that both states can take to manage this dispute better. They include adopting specific crisis management mechanisms and pursuing behind-the-scenes diplomacy, among other options.