Rarely, a delegation from Heilongjiang Province, China, has visited Iturup Island—the disputed territory between Russia and Japan. On October 13, according to Russian media reports, the Sakhalin Regional Government announced that a Chinese delegation had visited Iturup Island, one of the Southern Kuril Islands. The visit has since drawn heightened attention in Japan. The Sankei News reported that foreign delegations visiting the “Northern Territories” is exceptionally rare.
In August this year, Russian President Vladimir Putin made his first official visit to the island. According to available information, the delegation included government officials and business representatives from Heilongjiang Province. The purpose of the visit was to promote investment, during which they toured sea urchin farms and other local facilities. Clearly, the event has triggered concern within Japan. Some Japanese commentators have interpreted the visit as indicating tacit support for Russia’s position.
Leaving aside Japan’s perspective, such an on-island visit indeed stands out as unusual. The core of the dispute over the Northern Territories remains unresolved, and Japan has consistently maintained that no third-party presence or investment should be permitted under Russian administrative procedures. Following the disclosure of the visit, Japan has expressed serious concern, and diplomatic protest may follow. However, certain points require clarification.
In fact, regarding the territorial dispute between Russia and Japan, China supports peaceful negotiations between the two parties. Moreover, this visit was conducted at the sub-national level by a provincial delegation and does not reflect any formal stance of the Chinese state. The engagement likely aims to seize commercial opportunities arising from Russia’s opening of its Far East region and to explore the island’s abundant marine resources. Chinese officials’ participation may be intended to facilitate discussions and enhance the feasibility of future investments. The precise circumstances remain subject to further official updates.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1878941787962443/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author alone.