The dispute between Japan and China over some islands got a little bit more interesting as a diplomatic document from May 1950 has turned up.
According to Kyodo News:
A Chinese diplomatic draft in 1950 on a peace treaty with Japan indicated Chinese recognition of the Senkaku Islands as part of the Ryukyu Islands, sources familiar with the document said Friday.
The wording in the draft for the Chinese government uses the name Senkaku Islands and indicates China understood the islands to be under the government of what is now Okinawa Prefecture, the sources said.
The recognition that the islands were part of the Ryukyu Islands contradicts Beijing's current claim that the islands are part of Taiwan and belong to its own territory from ancient times.
According to the Japanese government, it wasn't until the 1970s that China started claiming the sovereignty over the islands.
To read the full article, go here.
China is now trying to downplay the diplomatic draft according to this article. They are trying to dismiss it as it is "unsigned." It appears China is speaking out of both sides of its mouth.
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