Territory -- Diaoyu Islands
Taiwan
Law of the Sea
State Responsibility

After a Japanese coastguard patrol ship hit and sank a Taiwanese fishing boat off the disputed Diaoyu Islands, mainland China and Taiwan wen on a relay to show toughness to Japan. Beijing started off with a FM spokesman expressing "strong dissatisfaction" and urging Japan to "stop illegal activities around the Diaoyu Islands to prevent such things from happening again". Taiwan was then forced to take it over and ratchet it up, with President Ma Ying-jeou issuing a "stern protest" and demanding immediate release of the Taiwanese captain, Premier Liu Chao-shiuan refusing to rule out war with Japan "as the last resort", and Taiwan recalling its envoy to Japan. While Japan softened its position and apologised for the incident, Beijing re-entered the fray and re-iterated her "great concern". In the end, Japan delivered a formal apology and promised full compensation.