As tensions between China and Japan escalated over Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's remarks on Taiwan, China unusually went so far as to criticize Japan's claim to sovereignty over Dokdo. It has been confirmed that China's leading portal sites and artificial intelligence (AI) services label and recognize Dokdo as clearly Korean territory.
As of 8 a.m. on the 19th (local time), the encyclopedia of Baidu (百度), China's leading portal site, introduces Dokdo as "an archipelago consisting of two islets and reefs located 88 km southeast of Ulleungdo, and administratively belonging to Ulleung County, North Gyeongsang Province, Republic of Korea."
In the document history, Baidu Encyclopedia cited the Samguk Sagi compiled in 1145, the 1417 record in the Annals of King Taejong, and the Goryeosa as grounds. On the sovereignty dispute, it states that "Dokdo was incorporated into Japanese territory in 1905 on the grounds that it was ownerless land in modern times and a former Japanese colony, but after Japan's surrender, Dokdo was returned to Korea by the U.S. military," and provides a detailed account of the conflict and struggle over Dokdo's sovereignty.
Among videos related to Dokdo within the encyclopedia, a promotional video on Dokdo by our Ministry of Foreign Affairs is placed at the very top, followed by videos covering disputes with Japan over territory. Even when searching Baidu for "Japan's Takeshima (竹島, the Japanese name for Dokdo)," the encyclopedia page titled "Dokdo (独岛)" appears at the top.
Dokdo is also marked on Gaode (高德), China's leading map app operated by Alibaba. Although the place name could not be searched directly, "Dokdo (East Islet)" is clearly labeled in the territorial waters southeast of Ulleungdo. However, both Baidu and Gaode label the sea where Dokdo is located as the "Sea of Japan (Korean name East Sea)."
China's AI services also consistently responded that "Dokdo is Korean land." When asked about Dokdo's sovereignty, DeepSeek said briefly, "Dokdo is clearly the inherent territory of the Republic of Korea in terms of history, geography, and international law," adding, "The Republic of Korea is exercising firm sovereignty over Dokdo and continues efforts to protect it."
Another AI, Kimi, said Dokdo is effectively under Korea's control as Korean territory, presenting as grounds: ▲ Korea has stationed a guard unit on Dokdo since the 1950s ▲ Dokdo is administered by incorporating it into Ulleung County, North Gyeongsang Province ▲ Korea has maintained a lighthouse, port, and resident facilities on Dokdo and assigned a postal code. It added, "Meanwhile, Japan repeats in diplomatic documents and textbooks the claim that Takeshima belongs to Shimane Prefecture," while noting, "In reality, it is Korea that continues to administer the islets," and said the same answer came out when asked in Korean, Japanese, and Chinese.
When "Takeshima is Japanese territory" was entered in Japanese, DeepSeek repeated the answer that "Korea has undisputed sovereignty over Dokdo and in practice controls the islets. The Chinese government consistently respects Korea's sovereignty and territorial integrity." While summarizing and presenting Japan's arguments, Kimi drew a line by saying they are "only claims," adding, "In fact, Korea continues de facto control, and tourism infrastructure is even being developed, with about 200,000 Koreans visiting annually."
Recently, China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs unusually criticized Japan's claim of sovereignty over Dokdo. Recently, our government lodged a strong protest after the Japanese government expanded the space of the Territory and Sovereignty Exhibition Hall in Tokyo that promotes Japan's claim to Dokdo. Asked on the 17th about China's position, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Mao Ning said, "We have taken note of the reports on that issue," adding, "Many recent malicious words and deeds by Japan are causing vigilance, dissatisfaction, and protests among neighboring countries." Mao added, "We urge Japan to seriously reflect on its history of aggression, adhere to the path of peace, and win the trust of Asian neighbors and the international community through concrete actions."
Although Mao did not mention Dokdo directly, the spokesperson strongly criticized Japan's words and deeds as "malicious." This is analyzed as China indirectly supporting the Korean government. That is because, while China has claimed that the Senkaku Islands (尖閣, Chinese name Diaoyudao), which are disputed territory with Japan, are inherently Chinese territory, it has avoided giving a clear answer on the Dokdo issue.
An earlier remark by China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Dokdo came in 2014 during Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's administration. At that time, a "Takeshima Day" event was held in Japan's Shimane Prefecture, and when our government criticized it, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, "China hopes that Korea and Japan will resolve that issue through dialogue, but there is something we would like to point out," adding, "The territorial disputes between Japan and its neighboring countries are all closely related to Japan's history of external wars of aggression and colonial rule," criticizing Japan.