Why in News?

• China and Japan has recently set up military hotlines (a direct phone line set up for a specific purpose) to manage maritime, air incidents over disputed islands (Senkaku Island).

Highlights

• This move was made to strengthen their capability of managing and controlling incidents arising due to their aggressive patrolling of the disputed waters.
• The hotline will enrich the communication channels between the defence departments of China and Japan, strengthen the capabilities of the two sides to manage and control maritime and air crises, and help maintain regional peace and stability.
• This move will further maintain regional peace and stability.
• China and Japan have a long-festering dispute over uninhabited East China Sea islands controlled by Japan but claimed by China.
• After World War II, Japan renounced claims to a number of territories and islands including Taiwan in the 1951 Treaty of San Francisco.
• But under the treaty, the Nansei Shoto islands came under USA trusteeship and were then returned to Japan in 1971.
• Japan says that Senkaku islands are part of the Nansei Shoto islands and hence they also belong to Japan.
• Besides, China raised no objections to the San Francisco deal.
• Only since 1970s, when the issue of oil resources in the area emerged, Chinese and Taiwanese authorities began pressing their claims.
• These Islands have been part of its territory since ancient times, serving as important fishing grounds administered by the province of Taiwan.
• When Taiwan was returned in the Treaty of San Francisco, China said the islands as part of it – should also have been returned.