The big picture.
   In addition, China defines Okinotorori Island as a “reef.” The spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has repeatedly reiterated that Japan’s practice of using Okinotorori Reef as its base point and advocating large-scale jurisdiction over sea areas is not in conformity with international law of the sea and has seriously damaged the overall interests of the international community.
   The Chinese side emphasized that the Okinotorori Reef has an area of ​​less than 10 square meters above the water surface at high tide. It is clearly a rock under the Convention. Therefore, it should not have an exclusive economic zone or a continental shelf, and the construction of artificial facilities cannot change its legal status.