Relevance: GS-2 (International Relations); Source: Reuters, The Hindu

China has deployed over 100 naval and coast-guard vessels across East Asian waters amid rising tensions with Japan, particularly around Taiwan and the East China Sea.

Major Conflicts and Flashpoints

Flashpoint

Core Issue

Senkaku/Diaoyu IslandsCompeting territorial claims; frequent Chinese patrols challenge Japanese administrative control.
East China Sea Air Defence Identification ZoneChina’s ADIZ overlaps Japan’s, heightening airspace tensions.
Taiwan StraitChina’s military posturing after Japan’s statement supporting Taiwan’s security.
South China Sea LinkagesChina’s broad maritime claims affect Japan’s sea lanes of communication.
Military Exercises & Force ProjectionChina’s mass naval deployment signals intent to test regional responses and assert dominance.

Implication for India:

The escalation reinforces India’s strategic need to deepen Indo-Pacific partnerships and uphold freedom of navigation, given its Act East policy and maritime interests.

Q. Consider the following pairs of maritime flashpoints and countries involved:

  1. Senkaku Islands – China and Japan
  2. Spratly Islands – Japan and South Korea
  3. Senkaku ADIZ dispute – Overlapping airspace claims of China and Japan

Which of the above pairs is/are correctly matched?
(a) 1 and 3 only
(b) 2 only
(c) 1 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Answer: (a)

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