Japan objects to China’s continental shelf claim

December 29, 2012

 by sagarmedia

Japan has filed an objection at the United Nations over China’s application to extend its continental shelf to areas including the Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea.
The Japanese government on Friday submitted a document to the UN Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf, asking it not to screen China’s application.
The Japanese document says Japan and China first need to set boundaries over the continental shelf in the East China Sea according to the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.
It says screening of applications to extend a continental shelf requires agreement by all coastal countries according to international law.
The Chinese government submitted its application to the UN commission on December 14th.
The document argues that the continental shelf in the East China Sea extends from the Chinese mainland to the Okinawa Trough, where the Senkaku Island chain is located.
The Senkakus are controlled by Japan but are claimed by China and Taiwan.
Based on this extension, China sets part of the outer limit of its continental shelf.