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  amerijap at 06:48 AM JST - 13th September

  But China opposed Japan’s claim in August, arguing Okinotori Island should have no continental shelf as it is merely a rock that cannot sustain human habitation or economic life of its own.

  I'm confused. What does this relate to China's political interest? And shouldn't the matter be up to marine-biologists or oceanographers for scientific research??

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  OssanAmerica at 07:27 AM JST - 13th September

  As silly as the Japanese claim may or may not be, the fact is that the location is even east of Okinawa and the Ryukyu chain. If any nations wanted to argue about it, it should be Taiwan and the Phillipines, not China. But China is opposing it because if Japan has full control over the area that means that the United States is going to be able to track Chinese submarines.

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  UnagiDon at 07:47 AM JST - 13th September

  Considering that the PRC claims the entire South China Sea all the way out to the coast of Malaysia and the Philippines as part of its continental shelf, such criticism is more than a little hypocritical.

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  Shumatsu_Samurai at 09:04 AM JST - 13th September

  But China opposed Japan’s claim in August, arguing Okinotori Island should have no continental shelf as it is merely a rock that cannot sustain human habitation or economic life of its own.

  What the hell's it got to do with China? Does China run around the world wagging its finger at anyone who files "improper" requests?

  Oh, wait, as Ossan says China wants to be able to move its submarines around without detection.

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  apecNetworks at 04:32 PM JST - 13th September

  Well, it may be time for the U.N. commission on seabed claims to consider Japan's ability to manufacture an artificial floating island w/ various configurations to suit several circumstances. Japan has the technology and capability to convert the area into usable land. Japan can do it b/c they love pouring fresh concrete.

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