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A Chinese university has announced plans to establish a research centre focused on the Ryukyu Islands, a move that is raising concerns in Japan about Beijing’s broader geopolitical intentions. The Ryukyu Islands, which include Okinawa, have long been a point of historical interest for China and a strategic region for Japan, especially as tensions between the two nations continue to simmer.
The Ryukyu Islands were an independent kingdom before being annexed by Japan in 1879. However, China maintains historical ties with the region, citing centuries of tributary relationships between the Ryukyu Kingdom and Chinese dynasties. In recent years, Beijing has increasingly referenced these ties. In a 2023 speech, Chinese President Xi Jinping highlighted the “deep historical exchanges” between China and the Ryukyus, a statement seen by some as part of Beijing’s larger territorial ambitions.
The planned research centre has sparked concerns that China may use this academic initiative to further assert influence over Okinawa, home to key U.S. military bases and a crucial component of Japan’s national security. Analysts suggest that the move could be a form of soft power, subtly reinforcing Beijing’s historical claims over the region at a time when Japan is strengthening its own military capabilities, particularly in the face of rising tensions over Taiwan and the Senkaku Islands, known as Diaoyu in China.
Okinawa’s strategic importance cannot be overstated. The island serves as a key military hub for both Japan and the United States, making it a focal point for regional security, especially in light of growing tensions in the East China Sea. The establishment of the research centre has been interpreted by some experts as a signal from Beijing that it may leverage historical narratives in its diplomatic and territorial disputes with Japan.