In 2013, the People's Daily, the flagship newspaper of China's ruling Communist Party, published an article claiming Japan lost its sovereignty over the Ryukyu Islands following World War II, calling for discussions over Okinawa's sovereignty.
Last year, Chinese President Xi Jinping, who formerly served as a Fujian governor, made a rare remark on historical exchanges between China and Ryukyu before Okinawa Gov. Denny Tamaki visited the coastal province to strengthen ties.
A northeastern Chinese university is planning to establish a "Ryukyu research center" to conduct studies on Okinawa, the southern Japanese prefecture formerly called the Ryukyu Kingdom, according to Hong Kong newspaper Sing Tao Daily.
The reported move to launch the center at Dalian Maritime University in Liaoning Province could be interpreted as Beijing's warning for Tokyo to stay out of matters related to Taiwan, which China regards as its own, by seeking to challenge Okinawa's status as a Japanese territory, observers say.
On Sept. 1, the university held a seminar on "Ryukyu issues" to prepare for the opening of the center, bringing together over 20 experts from top academic institutions, including Peking University in Beijing, Fudan University in Shanghai and the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, the Hong Kong daily said last week.
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If established, it would be the first research center specializing in Okinawa at a higher education institution in China, according to the report.
The Ryukyu Kingdom, founded in the 15th century in what is now Japan's Nansei Islands, which extend southwest from Kyushu toward Taiwan, was an independent kingdom centered in Okinawa. It maintained a tributary relationship with Chinese emperors before being absorbed by Japan in the late 19th century.
Okinawa now hosts the bulk of U.S. military bases in Japan. China has been concerned about stronger security cooperation between Tokyo and Washington aimed at coping with possible contingencies surrounding Taiwan.
At the seminar, Gao Zhiguo, head of the Chinese Society of Law of the Sea, said Ryukyu issues have "profound political and historical significance" as they are related to "national security and the reunification of the motherland," referring to Beijing's goal of bringing self-ruled Taiwan into its fold.
Gao stressed the need to conduct various risk planning in advance and formulate response strategies, according to the report.
China has a history of questioning Okinawa's status.
In 2013, the People's Daily, the flagship newspaper of China's ruling Communist Party, published an article claiming Japan lost its sovereignty over the Ryukyu Islands following World War II, calling for discussions over Okinawa's sovereignty.
Last year, Chinese President Xi Jinping, who formerly served as a Fujian governor, made a rare remark on historical exchanges between China and Ryukyu before Okinawa Gov. Denny Tamaki visited the coastal province to strengthen ties.
Xi's comment sparked renewed speculation that Beijing may seek to challenge Okinawa's status as a Japanese territory.
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