The Senkaku Islands, also known as Diaoyudao in Chinese, are a group of islands in the East China Sea. They are uninhabited and controlled by Japan. Japan's ownership of these islands is questioned by Chinese government since 1971, when the United States transferred its ownership to Japan.

The island group consists of 5 islets and 3 huge rocks. Albatross birds are observed in the islands but no other animals are living on the Senkaku Islands.

In 2012 a boat with Japanese activists landed on the islands. Three activists raised the Japanese flag and claimed the islands Japanese territory. Chinese people reacted with demolition of Japanese branded cars and Japanese businesses.