We Cannot Let the Diaoyu Islands Become America’s Pawn

The dispute over the Diaoyu Islands can be traced to three sources. The first is based on the historical records of the Ming dynasty during the late 19th century. The second is based on historical documents such as the Cairo Declaration from the World War II era. The most important event happened in the early 1970s, when the “Baodiao Movement” (literally movement defending the Diaoyu Islands) opened up a new chapter in the dispute. The two previous sources of the dispute only gained attention when the movement started. Hence, “Baodiao” was the real historical beginning of the dispute over the Diaoyu Islands.

The “Baodiao movement” revealed three basic facts to us: first of all, America was the creator of the Diaoyu Islands dispute, and it was essentially a violation of China’s sovereignty. Second of all, it showed us the basic philosophy of America’s strategy in East Asia at the time: “to cause divisions in the relationship between China and Japan.” As the dispute of the Diaoyu Islands could not be resolved quickly, and the friction between the two countries would become chronic yet not enough to start a war, it was a perfect strategy for America in East Asia. The third fact, however, could not have been predicted by the Americans: as the Taiwanese interests were harmed, they reacted vigorously to the issue and brought up a huge debate; it also led to a new path of communication between Chinese and Taiwanese high officials.

Whether it was America’s intention or not, the Diaoyu Islands gave America three hefty presents: first, the Diaoyu Islands are now part of America’s strategy as an important blockade to China’s expansion in the sea. Second of all, when U.S. ceded the sovereign right of Ryūkyū Islands along with the Diaoyu Islands to Japan in the 1970s, it established Japan’s claim to those islands and planted a landmine in the relationship between China and Japan, making it difficult for the two countries to build a cooperative relation that is stronger than Japan’s relationship with America. These are the two outcomes that America wanted, and they have already become realities.

The third gift, however, was not what America wanted: although the dispute over the Diaoyu Island instigated the tense relationship between China and Japan, it also promoted the cross-strait relations. Since the signing of the Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement (ECFA), America has been worrying if the Diaoyu Islands would become a platform for the two countries to establish a positive interaction politically and militarily. Moreover, the “Baodiao movement” also evoked Chinese resentment and criticisms toward America’s invasive strategy in the past 100 years.

These three sources, step by step, are becoming part of history and are also a complex chain of logic. America and all the countries involved have gained some and lost some, and all are in a complicated game over profit and power. America is the originator of all these. Through the dispute of the Diaoyu Islands, the U.S. intends to fulfill its goal in East Asia of containing China’s development and its relations with Japan. The calculation seems to be impeccable, but the risk was also high. Taiwan is a pawn the U.S. been playing for many years; it has been more effective in containing China than Japan to some extent. If this pawn is lost, it may cause America’s strategy in East Asia to lose its balance. Within Taiwan, there are debates over the dispute of the Diaoyu Islands: Lee Teng-Hui’s belief of Japan’s sovereignty, Kuomintang’s belief of China’s sovereignty and DPP’s belief about Taiwan’s sovereignty. If Taiwan suppresses the differences within and builds up a positive interaction and relation with the mainland, it will be a nightmare for America. If the dispute of the Diaoyu Islands continues on, America may become the biggest loser.

The dispute brings America benefit, but it also contains risks. Japan is also in the same boat; it receives benefits from America’s support but has to be under America’s supervision and obey America strategy. China is also in a messy situation: it must realize America’s role in the dispute of Diaoyu Islands in order to maintain both its relations with America and its foreign policy toward Japan. Earlier in history, Deng Xiaoping’s strategy of putting America aside gave the relationship between China and Japan a chance for improvement.

International relations have always been in proportion, and, so far, America is leading in the game in the dispute of the Diaoyu Islands. In order to gain the most out of this messy situation, one must keep his or head up and look far ahead. It is like playing chess: whoever can read the upcoming moves has the advantage. Today, both Taiwan and China are qualified to compete against America. Japan used to show signs of ability but fell into America’s trap this time around. From now on, both China and Japan should work hard on becoming real dominant countries and be independent without becoming America’s pawns.