ABSTRACT
This chapter provides an overview of the East China Sea geography, geology and geomorphology, the maritime claims of the States involved and their respective positions on maritime delimitation. It identifies two critical questions that call for answers under international law based on the presented facts of the dispute and the parties’ legal positions. The first question is: the role of geology and geomorphology, particularly natural prolongation, in situations where the area to be delimited measured less than 400 nm from the parties’ respective coasts. The second question is: the legal status, per Article 121 of United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, of the Senkaku/Diaoyu islands and their possible influence in drawing the international maritime boundary between China and Japan in the East China Sea. One important aspect of the maritime delimitation dispute in the East China relates to the exploration and exploitation of seabed energy resources, particularly hydrocarbons.
