2022 GS Paper I, all questions

UPSC Prelims 2022 · GS Paper I

Question 86: International Relations and Current Affairs

Which one of the following statements best reflects the issue with Senkaku Islands, sometimes mentioned in the news ?

aIt is generally believed that they are artificial islands made by a country around South China Sea.
bChina and Japan engage in maritime disputes over these islands in East China Sea.
cA permanent American military base has been set up there to help Taiwan to increase its defence capabilities.
dThough International Court of Justice declared them as no man’s land, some South-East Asian countries claim them.

AnswerUPSC’s answer is (b).

The Senkaku Islands, called Diaoyu by China, are uninhabited islands in the East China Sea administered by Japan and claimed by China and Taiwan. Their ownership and the surrounding waters are a recurring maritime dispute between China and Japan. They are natural islands, not artificial ones in the South China Sea, there is no permanent American base on them, and the International Court of Justice has not declared them no man's land.

Why each option is right or wrong
  • (a) They are natural islands in the East China Sea, not artificial ones in the South China Sea.
  • (b) Correct. China and Japan dispute them in the East China Sea.
  • (c) There is no permanent American base on the islands.
  • (d) The International Court of Justice has made no such declaration.

Answer: UPSC’s key. Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.

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Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2022, General Studies Paper I, Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.