Chinese document from the 1950's: Senkaku islands are part of Okinawa

Jan 6, 2013 by John Stuart Translations

In an interview with well-informed sources on December 28, Japanese newspaper Sankei Shimbun discovered Chinese diplomatic papers created in 1950 used the Japanese nameSenkaku to identify the Japanese-controlled islands in the East China Sea. The same document also contained language recognizing the Senkakus as a part of Okinawa.

Currently China claims the islands are its territory as “a part of Taiwan.” Recognition by China in 1950 that the islands are a part of Okinawa is contradictory to its current claim and weakens the foundation of its present position.

According to sources, the document titled “Summary Draft Relating to Problems and Assertions with Territorial Clauses in the Treaty of Peace with Japan” was created in May 1950. Officials who carefully examined a copy believe it to be authentic.
The document, which treats the Senkakus as a part of Okinawa, states, “(The islands) are exceedingly close to Taiwan, it is necessary to consider whether or not to include them as (a part of) Taiwan.”
Source: Sankei

This was translated by the person whose byline appears above. The original article was published in the Sankei Shinbun on December 28.


China has come into dispute not only with Japan over which country has sovereignty over several island groups in the South China sea but almost every country  in South East Asia. All these disputes involve natural resources which are needed for China's continued  economic development Expect that China is acting like the imperial powers of the late 19th and early 20th century believing that it is their inherent right to these natural resources as they lie within its sphere of influence.