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Japan nationalizes the Diaoyu/Senkaku Islands
Click for more info: September 7-13 events The Japanese government purchases a subset of the islands from the previous private owners (the Japanese Kurihara Family), in response to the severely nationalistic governor of Tokyo's threats to buy the chain. China calls for a retraction of the deal, and there is much unrest among the Chinese population. -
Protests surge
More info: September 14-20 events The Chinese people take to the streets in demonstrations, protests, and boycotts against Japan and their actions. Japanese businesses like Canon and Panasonic had to shut down, and Japanese cars on the streets were trashed. Chinese students in other countries also partook in the demonstrations by marching outside their respective Japanese embassies (specifically in South Korea). -
Vice Foreign Ministers Meet
Click for more info: September 21-27 Events The Vice Foreign Ministers meet for the first time since the purchase for four hours, but are unable to come to a conclusion. China urges Japan to reflect on their actions and to take steps to correct them. The celebration of the normalization of bilateral relations between the two countries that was scheduled was postponed indefinitely. -
UN Conference
Click for more info: September 28-October 4 Events During the UN general assembly, China and Japan exchanged heated words and accusations, proving that an agreement may be more diffcult than originally thought. -
China sends surveillance ships to surrounding waters
Click for more info: September 28- October 4 Events China sends four ships to patrol the waters surrounding the disputed islands. The next day, three more are sent and Tokyo issues a formal protest the following day. China does not comply. Chinese ships remain in the waters today. -
China backs out of IMF/world bank meeting
Click for more info: October 5-18 Events Set to be held in Japan for the first time in almost 500 years, the IMF and World Bank meetings are an extremely important ordeal. China's central bank governor withdrew from meetings as a snub to the host country, even though he was scheduled to address a keynote speech. The dispute's influence is growing throughout the region. -
US envoy arrives in Beijing
Click for more info: October 5-18 Events U.S. Deputy Secretary of State William Burns meets with officials in China in an attempt to ease tension as Japan starts to embark on a global campaign to convince other countries that they control the Diaoyu/Senkaku Islands. Burns also tries to assure neutrality when China becomes concerned about the planned drill between the U.S. and Japan. -
China holds military drill
Click for more info: October 19-25 Events The Chinese military holds a drill "stopping illegal entry" into Chinese waters. It was a fairly large drill, used to send a message to Tokyo. -
U.S. and Japan engage in military drill
Click for more info: November 2-8 Events In their biennial drill, the U.S. and Japan were originally scheduled to simulate "taking back an island from foreign forces," but changed their minds in order to not provoke China. Other aspects of the joint military drill were still continued. -
Japanese admiral/commander discloses new theory
Click for more info: November 2-8 Events Sumihiko Kawamura of the Maritime Self Defense Force claims that China wants control over the islands so that they can create a "safe haven" for their nuclear missiles (submarine launched ballistic missiles), much like the Soviet Union during the Cold War. This is in contrast to the idea that they want the potential natural resources lying under the islands. -
ASEAN Summit held in Cambodia
Click for more info: November 16-22 Events Although a scheduled topic of discussion, China and Japan's dispute was avoided at the summit. The Phillippines issued a formal protest when the conversation was side-stepped. President Obama also spoke at the summit, and delivered only neutral words. -
China announces increase in maritime power
Click for more info: November 23-29 Events China declares that they will be increasing their military presence. Although they want to "safeguard the country's maritime rights and interests," they are reportedly not interested in hegemony. -
Japanese Nationalism Surges
Click for more info: November 23-29 Events A 12-year long poll of national public opinion on Korea and China hits an all time low. The negative feelings towards the countries suggest an increase in nationalism, and a decrease in their previous pacifist image. -
US backs Japan
Click for more info The U.S. Senate passes an amendment that reaffirms The United States' commitment to Japan. The legislation does not declare whose side they take in terms of true and proper sovereignty, but it does acknowledge Japan's authority and administration over the islands. China opposes the amendement and calls it a "product of the Cold War."
