Socotra Rock 32°07′22.63″N 125°10′56.81″E / 32.1229528°N 125.1824472°E is a submerged rock 4.6 meters (15 ft) below sea level (at low tide) located in the East China Sea. The rock is the subject of a territorial dispute between South Korea, which considers it to lie within its exclusive economic zone, referring to it as Ieodo (이어도/離於島; MR: Iŏdo) or Parangdo (파랑도/波浪島; MR: P'arangdo),[1] and China, which considers it to lie within its exclusive economic zone and refers to it as Suyan Rock (苏岩礁). The rock currently serves as the foundation for the Chinese Jiaoxie Ocean Research Station.[2] A helipad is also located there to allow the research station to be serviced.
 | |
| Other names | Ieodo or Iŏdo (이어도/離於島) Parangdo or P'arangdo (파랑도/波浪島) Suyan Rock (苏岩礁) |
|---|---|
| Geography | |
| Location | East China Sea |
| Coordinates | 32°07′22.63″N 125°10′56.81″E / 32.1229528°N 125.1824472°E |
| Administration | |
People's Republic of China | |
| Demographics | |
| Population | none permanent |
The rock is located 149 kilometres (93 miles) southwest of Marado (just off Jeju island), Korea. For Japan, the island of Torishima, which is 275 km (171 mi) away, is the closest territory to Socotra Rock; and for China, Yushan Island of Zhejiang,[2] 287 km (178 mi) away, is nearest to Socotra Rock.
History
A possible reference to the rock exists in the ancient Chinese book Shan Hai Jing, which mentions a "Su Rock" in the Yellow Sea. However, it is unclear if this refers to Socotra Rock, since the book includes mythological material. There is also no evidence that the island was ever inhabited.
Both "Parangdo" and "Ieodo" are names for the mythical island which the residents of Jeju island believed housed the spirits of fishermen who perished at sea. The South Korean government has asserted a direct connection between these legends and the modern-day rock, claiming that the traditional saying that "One who sees Parangdo would never return" refers to the danger facing sailors when high waves allow the rock to break the surface.[1][3] Socotra Rock's Korean name was officially designated as "Ieodo" on January 26, 2001 by the Korea Institute of Geology.[4]
- China's Ming Dynasty nautical book Shun Feng Xiang Song records: "Ancient Japanese come to China, if they pass by the 'Suyan', it means they are far from Japan and will see the Grand Tang dynasty soon." However, it not evident if 'Suyan' was Socotra Rock. The book now is kept in Bodleian Library of Oxford University.
Timeline
- 1900: Socotra Rock is discovered by the British merchant vessel Socotra.[1]
- 1910: Socotra Rock is surveyed by the British vessel Waterwitch, which measures the depth at less than 5.4 metres (about 18 feet).[3]
- 1938: The Japanese government surveys the rock. Plans are laid for a research station, but are cut short by the outbreak of World War II.[3]
- 1951: A joint team of the Republic of Korea Navy and the Korea Mountain Climbing Association reaches the rock and lower a bronze marker bearing the legend "Ieodo, Territory of the Republic of Korea" ("대한민국 영토 이어도") onto its surface.[3]
- 1952: South Korea promulgates the Syngman Rhee line, which defined the country's territorial waters as including Socotra Rock.[5] This was not recognized by the People's Republic of China or other neighboring countries.
- 1963: Yuejin shipwreck: The Chinese vessel Yuejin sinks on her maiden voyage en route from Qingdao to Nagoya after being struck by an underwater object. The crew of the ship claimed to have been attacked by a torpedo, causing an international affair. It was later found that due to a navigational error by the crew, the "Yuejin" had actually struck Socotra Rock which was marked on navigational charts at the time.[6] This was not recognized by the Korea or other neighboring countries.
- 1963 5.1-6.3，Shanghai Riverway Bureau fleet finds the shipwreck 1.5 nautical miles (2.8 km) southeast of Socotra Rock.[7] This move was not recognised by the Korea.
- 1970: South Korea's Underwater Resource Development Law was enacted, defining Socotra Rock to lie within the country's 4th mining field.[5] This move was not recognised by the PRC.
- 1984 The rock's location is confirmed by a research team from Cheju National University.[1]
- 1987: A warning beacon is placed on the rock by South Korea.[3]
- 1995-2001: the Republic of Korea builds the Ieodo Ocean Research Station on Socotra Rock despite the objections from People's Republic of China. Several overflights of the island have since been made by the PRC surveillance aircraft.[8]
- 2001: the Korea Institute of Geology officially designates the rock as "Ieodo" on January 26, 2001.[4]
Dispute
According to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, a submerged reef can not be claimed as territory by any country. However, China and South Korea dispute which is entitled to claim it as part of the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
In September 2006, the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang (秦刚) told reporters that China objects to South Korea's "unilateral" activities in the region, referring to Korean government-built observation facilities on this reef island, which the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman has claimed to be "illegal". In order to defend against Korean occupation of the island, Chinese navy forces conducted military raids onto the island, thus burning down the observation facilities. It was reported in Korea that "Spokesman Qin Gang mentioned that the two countries never had a territorial dispute over the island."[8] On the other hand, Chinese reports notes that Qin Gang said the two countries never had a "territorial dispute," not mentioning any islands.[9]
See also
Notes and references
- ^ a b "海洋资源被非法掠夺 中国海洋安全面临挑战" (in Chinese). 河南商报. 2006-10-26. Retrieved 2006-10-26.
- ^ a b c d e Template:Ko icon "이어도 소개 (Ieodo sogae, Introduction to Ieodo". KORDI Ieodo Research Station website (This site might have view points in dispute or original research)). Archived from the original on 2006-07-17. Retrieved 2006-09-19.
- ^ a b Template:Ko icon "제주 남방의 이어도와 EEZ(배타적경제수역)포기 (Jeju nambang-ui ieodo-wa EEZ pogi, Ieodo south of Jeju and the surrender of the EEZ)". Dokdo Center website. 2004-06-05. Retrieved 2006-09-22.
- ^ a b Template:Ko icon "국제법적인 고찰". Ieodo Research Station website. Archived from the original on 2006-07-06. Retrieved 2006-09-22.
- ^ Template:Zh icon ""Yuejin shipwreck" event". People Daily. Retrieved 2006-09-23.
- ^ Template:Zh icon "Project list". Shanghai Harbor Records. Retrieved 2006-09-23.
- ^ a b "China Chafes at Korean Observatory on Reef Island". Chosun Ilbo. 2006-09-14. Archived from the original on 2006-11-02. Retrieved 2006-09-14.
- ^ Template:Zh icon 中国反对韩国在苏岩礁海洋观测活动(China objects Korean Observatory on Reef Island)Phoenix TV Retrieved on 2006-09-19.
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