China Mission Visits Island at Center of Japan-Russia Row
Tokyo, Oct. 13 (Jiji Press) — A delegation from China has visited Etorofu, one of the four Russian-controlled northwestern Pacific islands claimed by Japan, the government of the Sakhalin region in the Russian Far East said Tuesday.
On October 13, a delegation from China visited Etorofu, an island at the heart of a long-standing territorial dispute between Japan and Russia. Etorofu, along with three other Russian-controlled islands in the western Pacific, are claimed by Japan as part of the Northern Territories. The Chinese mission, composed of local government officials and business representatives from Heilongjiang province, bordered Russia, aimed to explore investment opportunities in the island.
Sakhalin Governor Valery Limarenko highlighted the island's potential for tourism and business development during the visit. The delegation showed particular interest in sea urchin and sea cucumber aquaculture, expressing willingness to collaborate with local companies on building a seafood-processing facility. The move comes amid calls for increased tourism infrastructure on the Kuril Islands, which Russia designated as a special tax-free zone in 2022.
Formerly seized by the Soviet Union from Japan at the end of World War II, the Kuril Islands remain a contentious issue between the two nations. This has hindered the conclusion of a peace treaty to formally end their wartime hostilities. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi of Japan strongly criticized the Chinese delegation's visit, calling it "absolutely unacceptable," while Russia dismissed Tokyo's criticism.
Despite the dispute, Russian President Vladimir Putin visited Etorofu in August and emphasized the success of tax incentives in promoting economic development in the region.
Written by urgent.news from The Japan News by The Yomiuri Shimbun's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
