I believe they've basically made this to sell in China for Chinese 8-ball (...and for those who are playing other pocket billiards games that think smaller means better). This particular size is aimed at the Chinese market, and more specifically, Chinese 8 players, who are either going all out on expensive pool cues, or buying expensive full shaft snooker cues and having them mutilated to suit.
I can't get on with anything but 9.5 on a snooker table, and I am using a 12.2 or 12.5 (depending on the game) shaft for American table. I can see how and why a smaller tip can be beneficial on the napped Chinese 8 tables, somewhat irrelevant on American tables with less reactive cloth/cushions.