Japan protests against China’s claim on Senkaku in updated maps

The Japanese government raised a complaint in protest with China over topographical maps it published of the Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea.

On Monday, China’s Ministry of Natural Resources had posted the maps on its website showing the Senkaku Islands as part of the Chinese oceanic territory. However, the Japanese government maintains the islands are an inherent part of their territory.

Japan’s Foreign Ministry made the protest through diplomatic channels in Tokyo and Beijing after China’s Ministry of Natural Resources posted the maps on its website. Nine images on the site include the topographies of three islands – Uotsuri, Kitakojima and Minamikojima in the Senkakus.

Japan controls the islands but China and Taiwan claim them. The Japanese government maintains the islands are an inherent part of Japan’s territory, in terms of history and international law. It says there is no issue of sovereignty to be resolved over them.

The Chinese ministry says it created the maps based on the latest satellite images and other survey results. China has been stepping up the activities of its government ships in waters around the islands.

Experts say China posted the maps with the aim of reiterating its claim over the islands.