The Senkaku, or Diaoyu, Islands are a group of uninhabited islands in the Asian-Pacific that have been the subject of a recent dispute between the Chinese and Japanese governments. Each nation claims the land is rightfully theirs, and both are steadily escalating their military forces around the islands. The situation is growing more serious by the day, and unless a diplomatic solution is reached, China may wage its first war as a superpower against a fellow world leader in just a few short months. This would be extremely detrimental for the Japanese, as they have only recently begun to shed their aggressor image from World War II. 
*
The islands are coveted for a few key reasons. They are part of several key shipping lanes in the Asia-Pacific and are known to have abundant oil reserves. The Japanese government sought to purchase three of the Senkaku islands from their private Japanese owner this year, much to China's ire. Although the Chinese government did not object to a private owner, the symbolic gesture of the Japanese government publicly buying the islands triggered a nationalistic response from inside China, and to appease the populace, the Chinese government proceeded to forcefully object to the Japanese purchase.  The Chinese believe that the Japanese claim to the islands is invalid because after Japan lost World War II, their territory was strictly limited to the home islands with a few minor islands that did not include the Senkakus. Thus, the Chinese believe that they should have had the rights to the islands since the end of World War II. The situation quickly took a turn for the worse when the Japanese ordered the expansion of their self-defense force. China responded in kind by imposing an "Air Defense Zone" in late November, forcing all planes that travel in the zone to submit their travel itineraries. 
*
The rift between China and Japan signals a change in Chinese foreign policy. Indeed, the global community must recognize that China has become an international power and that it will attempt to test its newfound status among the elites.  Through this dispute, the Chinese seek to show the world that they have finally ended the "hundred years of humiliation" at the hands of foreign powers.  
*
However, I believe it is of critical importance that the Chinese leadership display prudence and caution when dealing with this issue, as it may very well damage their reputation of being a peaceful country to the international community if they were to resort to violent action to resolve the issue. It would be best if the islands were not owned by any one party but considered as public space for everyone to use. 
*
Indeed, the Chinese have responded violently to two significant border disputes that resulted in the Sino-Indian War of 1962 (after Indian troops crossed into the disputed territory) and the Sino-Vietnamese war of 1979 (similarly after Vietnamese troops crossed into the disputed territory).  
*
Thus, it is extremely possible that the Chinese will use the option of military force if the Japanese were to continue their military buildup around the islands.  
If the two countries were to escalate the present dispute, the nationalists of both countries may push their governments to use military force. For the Chinese Communist Party, preserving power and legitimacy are at the top of the agenda. Despite having a democratic government, if the Chinese were to use military force to solve the problem, the Japanese would be forced to take action, resulting in a full-blown military confrontation. Thus, it is very likely that if the Japanese military buildup continues, a violent Chinese reaction will force the Japanese to respond in kind.
*
As an individual who is extremely passionate about international politics and cooperation, I find this particular issue to be extremely vexing. Being a Chinese-American, I cannot help but worry about the potential damage that could be inflicted upon both the Chinese and Japanese peoples. Indeed, former Chinese president Deng Xiaoping recognized the importance of Japan as a major figure in Asian-Pacific politics and went through great efforts to try and improve Sino-Japanese relations during his tenure as paramount leader. This island dispute threatens to undo much of the diplomatic work that Deng had done during his time as leader. 
*
For the benefit of the Asia-Pacific region and the international community as a whole, it is essential that this issue be resolved peacefully with both parties remaining open for dialogue and discussion so as to find a solution to the question of the islands' ownership.
*
The best solution at this point is to treat the islands as international territory that is open to public use. This will resolve many of the issues that have been the root cause of this row. This way, both parties will be able to access the islands' resources. Neither nation benefits from the current saber-rattling. China is a nation on the rise, and it would be a significant blow to the political capital that Beijing has been steadily accumulating if a full-scale war were to happen. To suddenly begin a rapid buildup of its military forces would potentially unnerve some of its Asian neighbors. 
*
This situation could quickly evolve into something extremely dangerous, and in order to avoid expanding the problem, both China and Japan must increase dialogue. It is essential that bloodshed be avoided at all costs; the conflict must be settled diplomatically.