Japan and China hold first security talks after 4 years

Japan and China on 19 March 2015 held their first security talks in Tokyo after four years since the ties had worsened over a row over islands in the East China Sea.
In the security talks both nations agreed to keep alive and foster a nascent recovery in bilateral ties plagued by the legacy of Japan’s wartime aggression and a territorial dispute.
However, both nations failed to set a timetable for the implementation of a scheme designed to ensure real-time communication between their armed forces.
Background of East China Sea dispute

• Sino-Japanese relations had worsened after China had claimed its rights over the group of tiny East China Sea islets.
• The islets comprises group of eight uninhabited islands and rocks. They have a total area of about 7 sq km in China Sea and are controlled by Japan.
• These islets are close to strategically important shipping lanes in this region and also offer rich fishing grounds. The region surrounding these islets is also thought to contain oil deposits.
• China claims that these islets have been part of its territory since ancient times. While, Taiwan separately is also claiming its right the islands.

Month: Current Affairs - March, 2015