Japan, China still at impasse over East China Sea dispute

Japan and China Oct. 11 ended their 10th round of talks aimed at resolving the dispute over gas exploration rights in the East China Sea without reaching any agreement.

Oct. 15, 2007

Eric Watkins
Senior Correspondent

LOS ANGELES, Oct. 15 -- Japan and China Oct. 11 ended their 10th round of talks aimed at resolving the dispute over gas exploration rights in the East China Sea without reaching any agreement.

There is still a substantial gap between the two sides' positions on the matter, according to Kenichiro Sasae, Japan's main negotiator during the most recent talks in Beijing. Sasae expressed hope that agreement could still be reached this fall, as further talks are due to be held in Tokyo next month.

The disagreement over gas exploration stems from a disputed maritime boundary between the two countries in the East China Sea, where China has already started production in the Tianwaitian area.

In April China said its exploration for oil and gas in the East China Sea does not fall into waters shared with Japan and can be conducted on a unilateral basis (OGJ Online, Apr. 12, 2007).

Contact Eric Watkins at [email protected].