The East China Sea affair

Who owns the Senkaku/Diaoyu/Diaoyutai islets and why are two powerful nations (three if you include Taiwan) flexing muscles over them? A small number of uninhabited or uninhabitable rocks jutting out of the sea don’t seem to be pricey real estate in the eyes of a simpleton but knowing ownership comes along with fishing rights, miles of pacific ocean and potential oil and gas deposits, then waging war might be worth it. Taiwan can’t even formally declare itself independent of China, yet it doesn’t want to be left out. Its presence in this tussle can be likened to interference by Rey Mysterio in a WrestleMania match between Big Show and “Stone Cold” Steve Austin nursing an injured knee and of course a dignified Mr. McMahon (USA) pulling some strings in the background.