UPSC Prelims 2022 · Question 86 of 98

UPSC Prelims 2022 question on Senkaku Islands

Which one of the following statements best reflects the issue with Senkaku Islands, sometimes mentioned in the news?

  1. It is generally believed that they are artificial islands made by a country around South China Sea.
  2. China and Japan engage in maritime disputes over these islands in East China Sea.
  3. A permanent American military base has been set up there to help Taiwan to increase its defence capabilities.
  4. Through International Court of Justice declared them as no man's land, some South-East Asian countries also claim them.
Show answer

Answer: B. China and Japan engage in maritime disputes over these islands in East China Sea.

The Senkaku Islands are a group of uninhabited islands in the East China Sea. They are known in mainland China as the Diaoyu Islands. The islands are the focus of a territorial dispute between Japan and China.

China claims the discovery and ownership of the islands from the 14th century, while Japan maintained ownership of the islands from 1895 until its surrender at the end of World War II.

The islands are NOT artificial; they are NOT in the South China Sea; there is no permanent American military base set up there; and the ICJ has not declared them 'no man's land'.

Hence Option (b) — China and Japan engage in maritime disputes over these islands in East China Sea — is the correct answer.

More questions on International Relations and Current Affairs

All 77 questions on International Relations and Current Affairs →

← Full 2022 question paper · All International Relations questions