Sample of Reflection Report
The Diaoyu / Senkaku Islands Dispute
Questions of Sovereignty and Suggestions for Resolving the Dispute
By Martin Lohmeyer
A thesis in fulfilment of the requirements of the Degree of Master of Laws in the Faculty of Law, University of Canterbury 2008
Content Content ....................................................................................................................1 Acknowledgements..................................................................................................9 1. Introduction.......................................................................................................11
1.1. Emergence of the name of the islands ................................................................15 1.2. Location, topography, geological features and vegetation ...............................17 1.3. Legal question arising from this dispute ............................................................21
1.3.1. Domestic Maritime legislation.................................................................................... 22 1.3.2. Legal Effect on national legislation of the Parties of dispute...................................... 22
2. Political Implications of the Conflict ...............................................................24
2.1. Diaoyu / Senkaku relation to oil..........................................................................24 2.2. Diaoyu Islands as a symbol for Sino-Japanese relations ..................................27
2.2.1. Diaoyu / Senkaku island as a proxy conflict ............................................................... 27 2.2.2. Historical rise of nationalism in the countries............................................................. 28 2.2.3. Chinese Nationalism ................................................................................................... 29 2.2.4. Japan’s Nationalism
Questions of Sovereignty and Suggestions for Resolving the Dispute
By Martin Lohmeyer
A thesis in fulfilment of the requirements of the Degree of Master of Laws in the Faculty of Law, University of Canterbury 2008
Content Content ....................................................................................................................1 Acknowledgements..................................................................................................9 1. Introduction.......................................................................................................11
1.1. Emergence of the name of the islands ................................................................15 1.2. Location, topography, geological features and vegetation ...............................17 1.3. Legal question arising from this dispute ............................................................21
1.3.1. Domestic Maritime legislation.................................................................................... 22 1.3.2. Legal Effect on national legislation of the Parties of dispute...................................... 22
2. Political Implications of the Conflict ...............................................................24
2.1. Diaoyu / Senkaku relation to oil..........................................................................24 2.2. Diaoyu Islands as a symbol for Sino-Japanese relations ..................................27
2.2.1. Diaoyu / Senkaku island as a proxy conflict ............................................................... 27 2.2.2. Historical rise of nationalism in the countries............................................................. 28 2.2.3. Chinese Nationalism ................................................................................................... 29 2.2.4. Japan’s Nationalism
Bibliography: www.internationalepolitik.de/archiv/jahrgang1995/oktober1995/das-tauziehen-um-die-spratlyrst inseln.html, accessed on April 21 , 2007. Press Release: “ASEAN Overview”: Available on: www.aseansec.org/328.htm, accessed on June 25th, 2007 Taipei Times: “Japanese trade surplus rises 1.8%.” Taipei Times (27.1.2005). Available on: