Well, China's history is that the British showed up and declared places like Hong Kong to be theirs. Then later Japan came along and did the same to large parts

Well, China's history is that the British showed up and declared places like Hong Kong to be theirs. Then later Japan came along and did the same to large parts of the pacific, including some Korean and Chinese bits. So, it may not be nice of the Chinese to be doing what they are doing but claiming areas and land for economical reasons is not without historical precedent. The US still has some strategic property in the Pacific. And of course bases in Japan and a partnership with Taiwan. And places like Panama used to be US territory as well. The British still hold on to the Falkland islands. It's not all about peace and democracy here either. So, Japan using some resources that they found off their own coast isn't the end of the world. And of course the Chinese are all over that as well. Practically in their back yard and most of it is in international waters, which makes it fair game legally.