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Japan claims that they have discovered the unihabited islands.
The Chinese claim that the islands appeared on thier maps during the ancient Ming Dynasty in the 14th century, implicating China's ownership. -
After the first Sino-Japenese War, Japan annexes the islands and says that China officially lost any sovereignty after they lost the war. China says they were forced to sign the "Treaty of Shimonoseki" in April 1895, which stipulated that China would cede the islands to Japan.
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In the aftermath of World War II, the United States received temporary control of the Sankaku/Diaoyu islands.
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Japan signs the treaty, which comes into effect April, 28 1952. The United States officially obtains the Senkaku/Diaoyu islands. China does not recognize this treaty.
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Experts, who have studied the seabed in the region, report to have found oil reserves surrounding the islands in dispute.
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Japan gains official power of the Senkaku/Diaoyu islands after the United States transfers power back over to them.
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Chinese protestors held a demonstration outside the Japanese embassy to condemn Japan's "illegal" oil and natural gas exploration at the demarcation line between both countries' exclusive economic zones.
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Japan claims a "median line" of the China sea, which gives them the power to drill for oil and gas in those areas. China says it does not and will not accept the claim.
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Japan arrests a Chinese captain and crew after they collided with a Japanese coast guard vessel near the disputed islands. Tokyo initially releases the crew and, after Beijing suspended trade, releases the captain.
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Fourteen Chinese activisits were arrested and deported by Japenese authorities after landing on the disputed islands and raising their nation's flag. Japan considered the event an illegal landing. Protests across China intensified after the Chinese were arrested.
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Two Chinese men were arrested in Beijing after ripping a flag from the Japanese ambassador's car.
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The governor of Tokyo says that he wants to purchase the Senkaku/Diaoyu islands to protect them from any Chinese ownership claims. Japan's government has agreed to buy the islands.
