America’s Policy Evolution In The Diaoyu Islands Disputes Between China And Japan

The issue of Diaoyu islands involves a trilateral competition among China, America and Japan. America’s policy on the issue of Diaoyu islands deeply affects how it evolves. The purpose of this paper is to reveal the essence of American policy, causes, as well as its policy evolution and future direction, and to devise a preferable strategic planning for China.Several agreements pertaining to the issue of Diaoyu Island include “Treaty of Shimonosek”, “Cairo Declaration”, “Treaty of Peace with Japan”, “The Japan US Security Treaty”. Diaoyu Island itself is geographically significant. The issue is not only the outcome of Japan’s military invasion into China, but a counterweight maneuvered by the US to implement its off-shore balancing strategy between China and Japan. The US in history changed its positions on Diaoyu Island for several times, all of which are resulted from the strategic adjustments on the global scale. In the backdrop of America’s new initiatives to conduct rebalancing strategy in Asia-Pacific Region, the increase of debates over this issue should be evaluated under the background of power transition which is underway globally.The US stance on Diaoyu Island is comprise by three building blocks-standing neutrally on the dispute over the island’ sovereignty; acknowledging Japanese government’s administration on the Island by reaffirming supports in accordance to Japan-US Security Treaty; hailing peaceful resolutions to the dispute. This articles points out the contradictory nature of these claims reasoning that the US policy on this issue in is not only unable to contribute to maintaining peace between China and Japan, but also harmful to establishment of new type of relationship of great powers between China and USA, all of which jeopardize the stability and integrity of Northeast Asia.As a globally crucial power, America has been devoting itself to upholding its hegemony and promoting democracy. Therefore, the US is also confronted with the same strategic dilemma as other great powers faced in history. USA has the potential risk to excessively expand its grid of power and embroil itself into the situation in which its capabilities cannot the meet the demand of its promises. In this case, America confined by the duty prescribed by its agreement with Japan will have to confront China, which will be a grave strategic mistake for the US.Despite China’s conspicuous stance on Diaoyu Island, China was hedged with its national strength and the unfavorable international environment. The dispute of Diaoyu Island could not be de facto resolved. Diaoyu Island hence becomes a touchtone to examine if China as a rising power can shake off the pressure from the island chain. The dispute over the island is manipulated by the US as a both a bargaining chip on the negotiating table and a tool to alienate China and US in a bid to avoid the conglomeration of the two nations. In this regard, China should be prepared to defend its own interests in necessary ways.