[19960930]96-798_尖阁列岛（钓鱼岛）争端：美国法律关系和义务.pdf

Order Code 96-798September 30, 1996Senkaku (Diaoyu) Islands Dispute:The U.S. Legal Relationship and ObligationsLarry A. NikschSpecialist in Asian AffairsForeign Affairs and National Defense DivisionSummaryNew tensions among China, Japan, and Taiwan over disputed islands in the East China Seaare based on long-standing territorial claims they have maintained. The United States has importantrelationships with all three disputants, and has had a legal relationship to the islands since theconclusion of the Peace Treaty with Japan in 1951. The chief components of this legal relationshipare: (1) U.S. administration of the islands from 1953 to 1971; (2) inclusion of the islands in the termsof the U.S.-Japan Okinawa Reversion Treaty of 1971; (3) a U.S. position on the claims themselves;and (4) the application of the U.S.-Japan Security Treaty to the islands under the provisions of theOkinawa Reversion Treaty.INTRODUCTIONIn recent months, tensions have arisen among Japan, China, and Taiwan over a smallgroup of islands located about 120 miles northeast of Taipei, Taiwan. Japan, China, andTaiwan claim sovereignty over the islands, known as the Senkakus in Japan and theDiaoyus in China and Taiw