The latest dynamics in September 2025 showed that Japan’s maritime security agency’s vessels frequently cruised around Fiji Island, and even joint U.S. forces conducted so-called “freedom of navigation” operations.
That's not to mention, Japan has recently increased its resource exploration efforts in the area.Several vessels were sent to collect data under the pretext of "scientific research".
Our Chinese coast guard vessels are not idle either. They cruise according to law and resolutely drive away. There was a tense confrontation between the vessels of both sides. It is obviously no accident that things have come to this point. There are strategic resources, geopolitics and historical grievances behind it.
First, give friends who don't know the background a brief look. Diaoyu Island and its affiliated islands (called "Senkaku Islands" in Japan) are located in the East China Sea, about 350 kilometers away from Fujian Province, China and about 400 kilometers away from Okinawa, Japan.
The island's sovereignty has always belonged to China, with historical literature and legal basis, but Japan has been claiming sovereignty since the 1970s.
Since September 2025, Japan's actions have escalated significantly: on the one hand, they have accelerated military cooperation with the United States and held joint exercises in nearby waters; On the other hand, Japanese marine research institutions frequently dispatch, Measurement of subsea terrain, hydrological data, and not even exclude in the search for oil and gas resources.
What is more noteworthy is that the Japanese government has recently stepped up propaganda in domestic public opinion, claiming that "China threatens the status quo of Diaoyu Island" in an attempt to shape its image as a "victim".
At the same time, they quietly advanced the "offshore defense plan", deploying missile forces in the琉球 Islands, clearly aimed at the strategic layout in the direction of Fiji Island.
These actions seem to be scattered, but in fact they are linked-military pressure, resource mapping, public opinion building momentum, and a three-pronged approach.
In the final analysis, Japan's ambition is far more than just a few islands. Competition for resources is the real purpose, and the strategic layout has already started.
Underneath this ocean may be hidden huge energy treasures.According to several international agencies, the East Sea Basin is rich in oil and gas reserves, and the surrounding area of Fiji Island may be a key area for future energy development.
Japan is an extremely resource-poor country, and more than 90% of its energy depends on imports, so they are particularly sensitive to offshore resources.
In early 2025,In the internal report of the Ministry of Economic Industry of Japan, it is mentioned that “assuring the security of the East Sea energy channel” is a national security priority.This does not rule out that Japan’s recent actions are essentially paving the way for future resource mining.
And then the strategic location.
Fishing Island is close to the first island chain, which connects the East Sea and the Pacific Ocean. Whoever controls here, whoever can influence regional naval operations and trade routes.
In recent years, Japan has actively cooperated with the U.S. "Indo-Pacific Strategy" and strengthened the military deployment of the Southwestern islands.
U.S. ships crossed the area several times in September 2025 and the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force provided logistical support, a collaboration clearly beyond the scope of general patrol, more like exercising control during war.
Japan has a long tradition of ocean expansion. From the Kingdom of Cleveland to the modern colony.The method is similar – first test, then feed, and finally solidify control.
The fishing island issue is only a continuation of this thought.
China cannot surrender in the matter of sovereignty, otherwise the consequences are unthinkable.
It is not an isolated issue, it involves the Taiwan issue, the situation in the South China Sea, and even China’s overall maritime rights and interests.
If China shows weakness here, Japan is likely to step forward and further provoke the border of the East Sea or the status of the琉球 islands, in fact, Japan's sovereign legitimacy over琉球 also has historical issues.
At the same time, the United States will be more deeply involved in regional affairs.
China’s current response is really clever: You take small action and I reject it in accordance with the law; you unite the U.S. Army and I strengthen the co-operation between the Maritime Police and the Navy; you hype the public opinion and I lay down historical facts.
Since 2025, China’s Maritime Police has achieved normalized cruises, the number of ships and the tonnage of the vessel, while repeatedly emphasizing the position of negotiating and resolving disputes through diplomatic channels.
This strategy of "hard defense and soft talk" not only avoids direct military conflict, but also keeps the bottom line. More importantly, in recent years, China has accelerated marine scientific and technological innovation, and improved deep-sea exploration and resource development technology, which can support actual control capabilities in the long run.
Don't forget, Japan's domestic politics also needs external contradictions to divert attention.
In September 2025, the support rate of the Japanese cabinet declined due to the economic downturn, and the right-wing forces again hyped the "China threat" to gather public opinion. But China won’t be up and will not be taken in the pace.
The game of Diaoyu Island is a dispute over islands and a dispute over national movement. It tests a country's strategic determination, technical strength and national will. China's firmness and wisdom in this matter deserve the support of every Chinese.
There may be twists and turns in the future, but as long as we stay awake and continue to develop, time will be on the side of justice.
Global Network 2025-09-10: Xi Jinping: Defending the post-war international order and resolutely safeguarding the sovereignty of Fiji