The conflict related to the islands between China and Japan has emerge in the last years, attracting

the attention of the international community, as an escalation would prove to have negative effects on the area and not only. Profile- the conflict is not a warm one, as military force was not used, even though some small clashes have e isted, especially when fishing ships encountered each other. The conflict has mostly remained one in the sphere of media and diplomacy, even though discussions were not what one might call open. The conflict in itself is a territorial dispute- one state !China" challenges another state#s ownership !Japan" of a few islands located between them, even though the issue was settled in the $%#s after the &'( gave the administration of the islands to Japan, which still has rights over them. The conflict has emerged in the conte t of soaring nationalism, which worries many related to the possibility of escalation. (n armed conflict is not very li)ely to develop in the area, especially as both countries would have more to win rather than to lose from the clash. *evertheless, some economic sanctions have already developed, which affected mostly Japanwhich has already withdrawn some subsidiaries from China. This could affect the already wea)ened economy of this state. +eturning to the conflict, it is based on historical arguments related to the true ownership of the islands, history which is perceived differently by China and Japan. Japan considers the islands were not inhabited before their arrival, while the Chinese claim to have arrived there long before this. (lso, the islands belonged for a while to a prefecture of Taiwan, which ma)es the situation more difficult to settle. The conflict however remained regional, engaging only these two countries so far, even though others may have interests in the area or in the resolution of the conflict as fast as possible, as stability is needed in the area. (ctors The first actor is definitely China, which can be considered one of the most important economies and military powers in the world, having emerged spectacularly in the last years. (lso, it is among the most prosperous and successful non-democratic states, reason why this conflict worries many. China has e pressed its dissatisfaction with the situation of the islands through officials, but also through the population, many protests occurring in the last period, as well as attac)s on Japanese companies. ,owever, one cannot entirely say that China is a unitary actor in this regard, as a segment of the population is not that interested in this particular issue, struggling with other problems.

Japan is on the other side of the conflict, now having ownership of the islands. ( former military and economic power, now Japan faces certain stagnation, always being in search of new resources. Japan is highly interested in )eeping the islands, especially as they were given in the $%#s by the &'(, after having been in their administration. Japan has also faced serious protests, the population being outraged by the Chinese claims. &'( is interested in maintaining the peace in the area, as well as in Japan )eeping the islands, as it was decided in the $%#s. The &'( is still considered the biggest power in the world, having been a rival of the Japanese and now their supporter, while the rivalry with the Chinese grows. &'( has acted before as third party in the conflicts between the two states, which have a millenary conflict, manifested or not. &'( will most li)ely try to balance the situation again so as to maintain peace in the area, which is highly important from an economic point of view. Taiwan is a small country which seceded from China and became democratic, being in fear of an attac) for a long time - which is why &'( granted military protection. .or a period, the Taiwanese had the islands, which would geographically belong to one of their prefectures. *evertheless, the Taiwanese )ept their territorial claims low. Causes The conflict causes are direct- easy to notice, while some are deeper, residing in the history of the two states. .or a start, the conflict ensued especially after mineral resources were found in the seabed of the islands. The islands themselves are not inhabited or particularly useful, but the resources changed the situation. 'hortly after, the Japanese nationali/ed the islands, which had been privately owned before - which was perceived by a challenge by the Chinese- who claimed them. The deep causes are related firstly to the troubled history of the 0 countries, which were enemies on many occasions, the Japanese trying many times to con1uer parts of China. 2eing now a true power at the global level, China may try to settle the scores, trying to regain what is considered as ta)en un3ustly through the decision of the (mericans. (lso, the growing level of nationalism in the two countries helped the conflict. The Japanese are stalling, which ma)es them threatened by reaction of the Chinese. The Chinese however, once with the newly gained power, want to have recognition at tan international level, thus ma)ing the islands a matter of prestige.