Abstract:

  Issues over East China Sea, especially sovereign disputes over Diaoyudao Islands are important and sensitive for Sino-Japanese relations. The two countries have opposing stands and disagreements and take measures to maintain their respective rights, interests and stands, which lead to an intensified severe situation concerning sea and air security in East China Sea. The key cause of the severe situation is Japan’s denial of the existence of disputes and the consensus of “setting aside disputes”. In view of this, the paper underscores the essential implications of international disputes, the background of “setting aside disputes” and the system that determines the sovereignty over Diaoyudao Islands according to international law. Given the important status of both China and Japan, the importance of their bilateral relations and their wishes to rehabilitate and develop their relations, both countries should, on the basis of the common understanding of the four principles for dealing with and improving Sino-Japanese relations, strengthen communication and dialogue, negotiate on sensitive issues according to facts and international law in order to practically control the sea and air security situation in East China Sea, and develop and enrich the contents of SinoJapanese strategic relations with mutual benefits. The steady development of SinoJapanese relations according to the principles and spirits of four SinoJapanese political instruments is a common aspiration of the international community including Chinese and Japanese governments and most people of the two countries.

Key words:  SinoJapanese relations, System of International Law
(, issues over Diaoyudao Islands, setting aside disputes