Spratly Islands

 

group of about 100 low islands and coral reefs in the central South China Sea, intersecting busy shipping lanes. The whole group is claimed by China, Taiwan, and Vietnam, and parts are claimed by Malaysia and the Philippines. Various islands, valued primarily for the petroleum and gas potential of the surrounding waters and to a lesser degree for their fishing grounds, are occupied by their claimants. In 1984 Brunei established an exclusive economic zone encompassing Louisa Reef, but it has not claimed the islet. There have been many disputes and some fighting, most notably between Chinese and Vietnamese vessels in 1988 and 1992, and the Spratlys remain a source of tension among the claimants. A 2002 agreement between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and China called for all claimants to avoid activities that would heighten tensions over the islands. In 2004, China and the Philippines signed agreements to stop illegal fishing and to explore jointly for oil in the islands; the bilateral accord was criticized by Vietnam.

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Spratly Islands
Chinese name
Traditional Chinese:	南沙群岛
Simplified Chinese:	南沙群島.
Transliterations Mandarin - Hanyu Pinyin: Nánshā Qúndǎo Yue (Cantonese) - Jyutping: nam4 saa1 kwun4 dou2
Filipino name
Tagalog:	Kapuluan ng Kalayaan
Malay name
Malay:	Kepulauan Spratly
Vietnamese name
Quoc Ngu:	Quần Đảo Trường Sa
Han Tu:	群島長沙

The Spratly Islands consist of more than 100 small islands or reefs. They are surrounded by rich fishing grounds and potentially by gas and oil deposits. They are claimed in their entirety by the People's Republic of China, the Republic of China (Taiwan), and Vietnam, while portions are claimed by Malaysia and the Philippines. About 45 islands are occupied by relatively small numbers of military forces from China, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan, and Vietnam. Brunei has established a fishing zone that overlaps a southern reef but has not made any formal claim. The Islands are located in the Southeastern Asian group of reefs and islands in the South China Sea, about two-thirds of the way from southern Vietnam to the southern Philippines.

• Wikimedia Atlas of the Spratly Islands, holding maps related to the Spratly Islands.

Geography and economic development

• Coordinates: 8°38′N, 111°55′ECoordinates: 8°38′N, 111°55′E (Spratly Island)
• Area (land): less than 5 km²
  • note: includes 148 or so islets, coral reefs, and

seamounts scattered over an area of nearly 410,000 km² of the central South China Sea

• Coastline: 926 km
• Political divisions:
  • People's Republic of China: Part of Hainan province;
  • Philippines: Part of Palawan province;
  • Vietnam: Part of Khanh Hoa Province;
  • Malaysia: Part of the state of Sabah;
  • Republic of China (Taiwan): Part of Kaohsiung municipality
• Climate: tropical
• Terrain: flat
• Elevation extremes:
  • lowest point: South China Sea (0 m)
  • highest point: unnamed location on Southwest Cay (4 m)
• Natural hazards: typhoons; serious maritime hazard because of

numerous reefs and shoals The islands contain no arable land and have no indigenous inhabitants, although twenty of the islands, including Itu Aba, the largest, are considered to be able to sustain human life. Natural resources include fish, guano, undetermined oil and natural gas potential. Economic activity is limited to commercial fishing. The proximity to nearby oil- and gas-producing sedimentary basins suggests the potential for oil and gas deposits, but the region is largely unexplored, and there are no reliable estimates of potential reserves. Commercial exploitation has yet to be developed. The Spratly Islands have no ports or harbors but has four airports. These islands are strategically located near several primary shipping lanes.

Early History

The first possible recorded human interaction with the Spratly Islands dates back as far as 3BC. This is based on the discovery that the people of Nanyue (southern China and northern Vietnam) and Old Champa kingdom fishermen (modern-day central Vietnam) had been visiting the Spratly Islands and other South China Sea Islands for fishing annually.

Ancient Chinese maps record the Qianli Changsha (千里長沙) and 'Wanli Shitang (萬里石塘), which China today claims refer to these islands. These islands were labeled as Chinese territory in maps made in 1724, 1755, 1767, 1810, 1817 by the Qing Dynasty of China. Ancient Vietnamese maps record Bãi Cát Vàng (Golden Sandbanks, as claimed today by Vietnam referring to both Paracel and Spratly Islands) which lies near the Coast of the central Vietnam as early as the 17th century. In Phủ Biên Tạp Lục (Frontier Chronicles) by the scholar Le Quy Don, Hoàng Sa and Trường Sa were defined as belonging to Quảng Ngãi District. He described it as where sea products and shipwrecked cargoes were available to be collected. Vietnamese text written in the 17th century referenced government-sponsored economic activities during the Le Dynasty, 200 years earlier. The Vietnamese government conducted several geographical surveys of the islands in the 18th century.

The islands were sporadically visited throughout the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries by mariners from different European powers (including either Richard Spratly or William Spratly, after whom the island group derives its most recognizable English name). However, these nations showed little interest in the islands. In 1883, German boats surveyed the Spratly and Paracel Islands but withdrew the survey eventually after receiving protests from the Nguyen Dynasty.

In the 1930s, France claimed the Spratly and Paracel Islands on behalf of its then-colony Vietnam. It occupied a number of the Spratly Islands, including Itu Aba, built weather stations on two, and administered them as part of French Indochina. This occupation was protested by the Republic of China government because France admitted finding Chinese fishermen there when French war ships visited nine islands. In 1935, the Chinese government also announced sovereignty claim on the Spartly Islands. Japan occupied some of the islands in 1939 during World War II, and used the islands as a submarine base for the occupation of Southeast Asia. During the occupation, these islands were called Shinnan Shoto (新南諸島), literally the New Southern Islands, and put under the governance of Taiwan together with the Paracel Islands (西沙群岛).

Following the defeat of Japan at the end of World War II, the Republic of China government (Nationalist) re-claimed the whole Spratly Islands (including Itu Aba) and accepted the Japanese surrender on the islands based on Cairo Declaration and Potsdam Declaration. Japan renounced all claims to the islands in the 1951 San Francisco Peace Treaty. In the treaty with Republic of China, Japan again renounced all claims to the islands together with the Paracels, Pratas & other islands captured from China. The Nationalist withdrew from most of the Spratly and Paracel Islands after they were defeated by the forces of the opposing Communist Party of China in 1949. Today the Itu Aba Island is still administrated by the Republic of China government in Taiwan. In 1951, the People's Republic of China declared in response to Treaty of San Francisco that the Spratly Islands belonged to China. When the French left Vietnam, the naval units of the Vietnamese government took over in Truong Sa.

Political dispute

There are multiple reasons why the neighboring nations would be interested in the Spartly Islands. In 1968 oil was discovered in the region. The Geology and Mineral Resources Ministry of the China (People's Republic of China) has estimated that the Spratly area holds oil and natural gas reserves of 17.7 billion tons (1.60 × 10¹⁰ kg), as compared to the 13 billion tons (1.17 × 10¹⁰ kg) held by Kuwait, placing it as the fourth largest reserve bed in the world. Naturally, these large reserves assisted in intensifying the situation and propelled the territorial claims of the neighboring countries. On 11 March 1976, the first major Philippine oil discovery occurred off the coast of Palawan, within the Spratly Islands territory, and these oil fields now account for fifteen percent of all petroleum consumed in the Philippines. In 1992, the PRC and Vietnam granted oil exploration contracts to U.S. oil companies that covered overlapping areas in the Spratlys. In May 1992, the China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) and Crestone Energy (a U.S. company based in Denver, Colorado) signed a cooperation contract for the joint exploration of the Wan'an Bei-21 block, a 25,155 km² section of the southwestern South China Sea that includes Spratly Island areas. Part of the Crestone's contract covered Vietnam’s blocks 133 and 134, where PetroVietnam and ConocoPhillips Vietnam Exploration & Production, a unit of ConocoPhillips, agreed to evaluate prospects in April 1992. This led to a confrontation between China and Vietnam, with each demanding that the other cancel its contract.

An additional motive is the region's role as one of the world's most productive areas for commercial fishing. In 1988, for example, the South China Sea accounted for eight percent of the total world catch, a figure which has certainly risen. The PRC has predicted that the South China Sea holds combined fishing and oil and gas resources worth one trillion dollars. There have already been numerous clashes between the Philippines and other nations — particularly the PRC — over foreign fishing vessels in its EEZ (Exclusive Economic Zone) and the media regularly report the arrest of Chinese fishermen. In 1984, Brunei established an exclusive fishing zone encompassing Louisa Reef in the southern Spratly Islands, but has not publicly claimed the island.

The region is also one of the busiest shipping lanes in the world. During the 1980s, at least two hundred and seventy ships passed through the Spratly Islands region each day, and currently more than half of the world’s supertanker traffic, by tonnage, passes through the region’s waters every year. Tanker traffic through the South China Sea is over three times greater than through the Suez Canal and five times more than through the Panama Canal; twenty five percent of the world’s crude oil passes through the South China Sea.

There have been occasional naval clashes over the Spratly Islands. In 1988, China and Vietnam clashed at sea over possession of Johnson Reef in the Spratlys. Chinese gunboats sank Vietnamese transport ships supporting a landing party of Vietnamese soldiers.

In response to growing concerns by coastal states regarding encroachments by foreign vessels on their natural resources, the United Nations convened the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) in 1982 to determine the issue of international sea boundaries. In response to these concerns, it was resolved that a coastal state could claim two hundred nautical miles of jurisdiction beyond its land boundaries. However UNCLOS failed to address the issue of how to adjudicate on overlapping claims and so the future of the islands remains clouded.

Following a 1995 dispute between China and Philippines an ASEAN-brokered agreement was reached between the PRC and ASEAN member nations whereby a nation would inform the others of any military movement within the disputed territory and that there would be no further construction. The agreement was promptly violated by China and Malaysia. Claiming storm damage, seven Chinese naval vessels entered the area to repair "fishing shelters" in Panganiban Reef. Malaysia erected a structure on Investigator Shoal and landed at Rizal Reef, both places situated within the Philippines EEZ. In response the Philippines lodged formal protests, demanded the removal of the structures, increased naval patrols in Kalayaan and issued invitations to American politicians to inspect the PRC bases by plane.

In the early 21st century, the situation is improving. China recently held talks with ASEAN countries aimed at realizing a proposal for a free trade area between the ten countries involved. China and ASEAN also have been engaged in talks to create a code of conduct aimed at easing tensions in the disputed islands. On 5 March 2002, an agreement was reached, setting forth the desire of the claimant nations to resolve the problem of sovereignty "without further use of force"^{[citation needed]}. In November 2002, a Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea was signed, easing tensions but falling short of a legally-binding code of conduct.

China claims on the Spratly Islands

China bases its claim to the islands on historical grounds. They state that the Spratly Islands have been an integral part of China for nearly two thousand years and point to ancient manuscripts claiming to refer to the Spratly Islands and remains of Chinese pottery and coins on the islands as proof. Chinese fishermen were also found on these islands by the French when it made its claims in the 1930s. Using this argument, the PRC states that the Philippines have taken 410,000 square kilometers of its traditional maritime boundary, having taken advantage of the PRC's poor condition during its exile from international affairs.

Many official records and maps dating back to Han Dynasty, Yuan Dynasty, Qing Dynasty and Republic of China did include the Spratly Islands in Chinese territory^{[citation needed]}. (See the Chinese version of this page for document details and dates). However, these same maps also claim the northern Philippine archipelago, Palawan, Vietnam, Korea, Malaysia among others. In addition, China claimed these areas more as protectorates^{[citation needed]} rather than as a true part of China since they still had their own kingdoms and governments.

In reality, the contemporary legal claim originated from (1) the de facto administration^{[citation needed]} of these islands by China as part of post World War II arrangement based on various treaties of the Allied Powers; and (2) the succession of Republic of China by the People's Republic of China in 1949.

Philippine claims on the Spratly Islands

While the Philippine claim to the Spratly Islands was first expressed in the United Nations General Assembly in 1946, Philippine involvement in the Spratlys did not begin in earnest until 1956, when on 15 May Philippine citizen and admiral Tomas Cloma proclaimed the founding of a new state, Kalayaan (Freedom Land). Cloma’s Kalayaan encompassed fifty three features spread throughout the eastern South China Sea, including Spratly Island proper, Itu Aba, Pag-asa and Nam Yit Islands, as well as West York Island, North Danger Reef, Mariveles Reef and Investigator Shoal. Cloma then established a protectorate in July 1956 with Pag-asa as its capital and Cloma as “Chairman of the Supreme Council of the Kalayaan State”. This action, although not officially endorsed by the Philippine government, was considered by other claimant nations as an act of aggression by the Philippines and international reaction was swift. Taiwan, the PRC, South Vietnam, France, the United Kingdom and the Netherlands lodged official protests (the Netherlands on the premise that it considered the Spratly Islands part of Dutch New Guinea) and Taiwan sent a naval task force to occupy the islands and establish a base on Itu Aba, which it retains to the present day. Tomas Cloma and the Philippines continued to state their claims over the islands; in October 1956 Cloma traveled to New York to plead his case before the United Nations and the Philippines had troops posted on three islands by 1968 on the premise of protecting Kalayaan citizens. In early 1971 the Philippines sent a diplomatic note on behalf of Cloma to Taipei demanding the ROC's withdrawal from Itu Aba and on 10 July in the same year Ferdinand Marcos announced the annexation of the 53 island group known as Kalayaan, although since neither Cloma or Marcos specified which fifty three features constituted Kalayaan, the Philippines began to claim as many features as possible. In April of 1972 Kalayaan was officially incorporated into Palawan province and was administered as a single “poblacion” (township), with Tomas Cloma as the town council Chairman and by 1992, there were twelve registered voters on Kalayaan. The Philippines also reportedly attempted to land troops on Itu Aba in 1977 to occupy the island but were repelled by ROC troops stationed on the island. There were no reports of casualties from the conflict. In 2005, a cellular phone base station was erected by the Philippines' [[Smart Communications]] on Pag-asa Island. The Philippines base their claims of sovereignty over the Spratlys on the issues of res nullius and geography. The Philippines contend Kalayaan was res nullius as there was no effective sovereignty over the islands until the 1930s when France and then Japan acquired the islands. When Japan renounced their sovereignty over the islands in the San Francisco Peace Treaty in 1951, there was a relinquishment of the right to the islands without any special beneficiary. Therefore, argue the Philippines, the islands became res nullius and available for annexation. Philippine businessman Tomas Cloma did exactly that in 1956 and while the Philippines never officially supported Cloma’s claim, upon transference of the islands’ sovereignty from Cloma to the Philippines, the Philippines used the same sovereignty argument as Cloma did. The Philippine claim to Kalayaan on geographical bases can be summarized using the assertion that Kalayaan is distinct from other island groups in the South China Sea because:

It is a generally accepted practice in oceanography to refer to a chain of islands through the name of the biggest island in the group or through the use of a collective name. Note that Spratly (island) has an area of only 13 hectares compared to the 22 hectare area of the Pag-asa Island. Distance-wise, Spratly Island is some 210 nm off Pag-asa Islands. This further stresses the argument that they are not part of the same island chain. The Paracels being much further (34.5 nm northwest of Pag-asa Island) is definitely a different group of islands

A second argument used by the Philippines regarding their geographical claim over the Spratlys is that all the islands claimed by the Philippines lie within their archipelagic baselines, the only claimant who can make such a statement. The 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) stated that a coastal state could claim two hundred nautical miles of jurisdiction beyond its land boundaries. It is perhaps telling that while the Philippines is a signatory to UNCLOS, the PRC and Vietnam are not. The Philippines also argue, under Law of the Sea provisions, that the PRC can not extend its baseline claims to the Spratlys because the PRC is not an archipelagic state. Whether this argument (or any other used by the Philippines) would hold up in court is debatable but possibly moot, as the PRC and Vietnam seem unwilling to legally substantiate their claims and have rejected Philippine challenges to take the dispute to the World Maritime Tribunal in Hamburg.

Vietnam claims on the Spratly Islands

Vietnam also claims the island on historical grounds. Ancient Vietnamese geographical maps record Bãi Cát Vàng (Golden Sandbanks, referring to Spratly Islands) as Vietnamese territory as early as the 17th century. In Phủ Biên Tập Lục by the scholar Lê Quý Đôn, Hoàng Sa (Paracel Islands), and Trường Sa (Spratly Islands) were defined as belonging to Quảng Ngãi District. In Đại Nam Nhất Thống Toàn Đồ (Dai Nam Unified Map), an atlas of Vietnam completed in 1838, Trường Sa was shown to be Vietnam's territory. Vietnam had conducted many geographical and resource surveys of the islands. The results of these surveys have been recorded in Vietnamese literature and history published since the 17th century. After the treaty signed with the Nguyen Dynasty, France represented Vietnam in international affairs and had exercised sovereignty over the islands. On 7 July 1951, Tran Van Huu, head of the Bao Dai Government's delegation to the San Francisco Conference on the peace treaty with Japan declared that the archipelago's of Hoang Sa and Truong Sa had been part of Vietnamese territory. This declaration met with no challenge from the 51 representatives at the conference. It should be noted, however, that neither P.R.China or R.O.China were present at the conference. After the French left, the Vietnam government had exercised sovereignty over the islands. Vietnam currently occupies 31 islands. They are organized as a district of Khanh Hoa Province. At the 12th National Assembly Election held early in Trường Sa, the people and solders also voted for their local district government for the first time. For the first time, Trường Sa is organized like a normal inland district, with a townlet (thị trấn Trường Sa) and two commnunes (xã Sinh Tồn, xã Song Tử Tây). Forty nine people were elected to the communes' people's councils.

Tabular listing of features showing country possessions

Occupied Features

Philippines
Int'l Name	Local Names	Description	Area (ha.)
Flat Island	Patag (P) lit. flat	About 6 miles southwest of Lawak Island (Nanshan Island). It changes its shape seasonally. The sand build up will depend largely on the direction of prevailing wind and waves. It takes the shape of an elongated one for some years now and a shape like that of a crescent moon for few years ago and it formed the shape of a letter “S” in the past. Like Panata Island (Lankiam Cay), it is also barren of any vegetation. No underground water source is found in the island. Presently, this island serves only as a military observation post for the Municipality of Kalayaan. A low, flat, sandy cay, 240 by 90 m, subject to erosion. Has a nearby reef which is above water at high tide. With large guano deposits. No vegetation. Several soldiers stationed.	0.57
	费信岛 Feixin Dao (C)
	Đảo Bình Nguyên (V)
Lankiam Cay	Panata (P) lit. oath	Located 8 miles northeast of Kota Island (Lankiam Cay). A few years ago this island has a surface area of more than 5 hectares but strong waves brought by a strong typhoon washed out the sandy surface (beach) of the island leaving behind today the calcarenite foundation that can be seen at low tide. Several soldiers stationed.	0.44
	杨信沙洲 Yangxin Shazhou (C)
	Cồn San Hô Lan Can (V)
Loaita Island	Kota (P)	Located 22 miles southeast of Pag-asa (Thitu Island). It fringes the Laoita bank and reef. Its calcarenite outcrop is visible along its western side at low tide. The present shape of the island indicates sand buildup along its eastern side. The anchor-shaped side will eventually connect with the northern portion as the sand buildup continues thereby creating another mini-lagoon in the process. The presence of migrating sea birds adds to the high phosphorus contents of the sand found in the island. Occasionally, giant sea turtles are reported to be laying their eggs in the island. Covered with mangrove bushes, above which rose coconut palms and other small trees. Several soldiers stationed. Occupied since 1968.	6.45
	南钥岛 Nanyue Dao (C)
	Đảo Loại Ta (V)
Nanshan Island	Lawak (P) lit. vastness	Located 98.0 miles east of Pag-asa (Thitu Island). This island is a bird sanctuary. Its surroundings are highly phosphatized that superphosphate materials can be mined out on a small-scale basis. Near the fringes of the breakwaters (approx. 2 miles from the island), intact hard coral reefs were observed to retain their natural environment and beautiful tropical fishes were seen colonizing these coral beds of varying colors. Covered with coconut trees, bushes and grass. 580 m long, on the edge of a submerged reef. Several soldiers stationed. Has a small airstrip.	7.93
	马欢岛 Mahuan Dao (C)
	Đảo Vĩnh Viễn (V)
Northeast Cay	Parola (P) lit. lighthouse	The fifth largest Spratly island. Only 1.75 miles from Southwest Cay and can bee seen before the horizon. located 28 miles northwest of Pag-asa (Thitu Island). Some of its outcrops are visible on its western side. It has high salinity groundwater and vegetation limited to beach type of plants. The corals around the island were mostly destroyed by rampant use of dynamite fishing and cyanide method employed by foreign fishing boats in the past. Covered with grass and thick trees. Much of the ringing reef is above water at high tide. Supported a beacon in 1984. Has Guano deposits. Several soldiers stationed. Has an airstrip. Shira Islet lies 320 m from the south of Northeast Cay. Occupied since 1968.Part of North Danger Reef.	12.7
	北子岛 Beizi Dao (C)
	Đảo Song Tử Đông (V)
Thitu Island	Pag-asa (P) lit. hope	The second largest Spratly island. Serves as the poblacion for the Municipality of Kalayaan, Palawan, Phils. It is covered with trees and has a variety of fauna. It is home to some 300+ civilians (including children) and over forty soldiers. Other islands are expected to be populated before 2010. Population is regulated to protect the islands' flora and fauna and to avoid tension with other countries. It has 1.4 km airstrip, a marina, water filtering plant, power generator and a commercial communications tower (by Smart Communications). The Philippines' Department of Tourism is making improvements to the island to make it profitable. Occupied since 1968.	37.2
	中业岛 Zhongye Dao (C)
	Đảo Thị Tứ (V)
West York Island	Likas (P) lit. natural	The third largest Spratly island. This island is located 47 miles northeast of Pag-asa (Thitu Island). Outcrops are visible on the southern and eastern portion of the island during low tides. This island is considered a sanctuary for giant sea turtles that lay their eggs on the island all year round. The high salinity of the ground water in the island retards the growth of introduced trees like coconuts, ipil-ipil, and other types. Only those endemic to the area that are mostly beach type of plants thrive and survive the hot and humid condition especially during the dry season. Has an observation post. Several soldiers stationed.	18.6
	西月岛 Xiyue Dao (C)
	Đảo Bến Lạc, Đảo Dừa (V)
Commodore Reef	Rizal (P) after Jose Rizal	A sand "cay", 0.5 m high, surrounded by two lagoons. Parts of reef above water at high tide. It is a typical reef lying underwater and is now being manned by a military contingent based and established in the area. Some structures. Several soldiers stationed. Occupied since 1978.	0
	司令礁 Siling Jiao (C)
	Đá Công Đo (V)
	Terumbu Laksamana (M)
Irving Reef	Balagtas (P) after Francisco Balagtas	Naturally above water only at low tide. A very small cay lies at northern end. Some structures. Several soldiers stationed.	0
	火艾礁 Huo'ai Jiao (C)
	Đảo Cá Nhám (V)
Shira Islet		Technically part of Northeast Cay. It lies 320 meters from that island. Occupation is almost always credited to the Philippines because of its very close proximity to a Philippine-occupied island. See Northeast Cay	??
Total		7 islands, 2 reefs, 1 islet	83.89
Republic of China (Taiwan)
Int'l Name	Local Names	Description	Area (ha.)
Itu Aba Island	Ligaw (P) lit. courtship or lost	The largest Spratly island. Covered w/shrubs, coconut and mangroves. 600 soldiers stationed, lighthouse, radio and weather stations, concrete landing jetty and two wells at SW end. Guano deposits, fringing reef. Hainan fishermen used to visit annually. In 8/93, plans were announced for a 2 km-long airstrip and fishing port. Pineapple was once cultivated here. Occupied since September 1956, 4 moths after Filipino Tomas Cloma claimed the islands. Part of Tizard Banks.	46
	太平岛 Taiping Dao (C)
	Đảo Ba Bình (V)
Ban Than Jiao	Ban Than Jiao (C)	Small drying reef halfway between Taiwan-occupied Itu Aba and Vietnam-occupied Sand Cay. Has a structure and is garrisoned by some soldiers. Occupied since 1995. Part of Tizard Banks.	0
	Bãi Bàn Than (V)
Total		1 island, 1 reef	46
Vietnam
Int'l Name	Local Names	Description	Area (ha.)
Amboyna Cay	Kalantiaw (P) after Datu Kalantiaw	Two parts: East part consists of sand and coral, west part is covered with guano. Has fringing reef. An obelisk, about 2.7 m high, stands on the SW corner. Little vegetation. Lighthouse operational since May 1995. Heavily fortified.	1.6
	安波沙洲 Anbo Shazhou (C)
	Đảo An Bang (V)
	Pulau Amboyna Kecil (M)
Namyit Island	Binago (P) lit. changed	Covered with small trees, bushes and grass. Has a fringing reef and is inhabited by sea birds. The island is inhabited by an unknown number of Vietnamese soldiers and in the deep waters fronting the south side it is said that a submarine base is situated.[citation needed] Occupied since 1975.Part of Tizard Banks.	5.3
	鸿庥岛 Hongxiu Dao (C)
	Đảo Nam Yết (V)
Sand Cay	Bailan (P) lit. druid	Covered with trees and bushes. Fringing reef partly above water at low tide. Occupied since 1974. Part of Tizard Banks.	7
	敦谦沙洲 Dunqian Shazhou (C)
	Đảo /Đá Sơn Ca (V)
Sin Cowe Island	Rurok (P) lit. peak	Has fringing reef which is above water at low tide. Occupied since 1974. Part of Union Banks.	??
	景宏岛 Jinghong Dao (C)
	Đảo Sinh Tồn (V)
Sin Cowe East Island	Đảo Sinh Tồn Đông (V)	Description is probably the same with Sin Cowe Island since different sources refer to these two cays collectively. Part of Union Banks.	??
Southwest Cay	Pugad (P) lit. nest	Only  miles ( km) from Northeast Cay and can be seen before the horizon. Previously a breeding place for birds and covered with trees and guano. Export of guano was once carried out "on a considerable scale." Fringing reef partly above water at high tide. Vietnam erected its first lighthouse in the Spratlys here in October 1993 and built an airstrip. Has a three-story building, garrisoned by soldiers. Philippine military controlled the island before early 1980's. Vietnamese forces invaded the island when Filipino soldiers guarding the island attended the birthday party of their commanding officer based in the nearby Northeast Cay. This was confirmed by interviews with soldiers involved in an episode of the defunct ABS-CBN's Magandang Gabi Bayan (Good Evening Nation) program. Part of North Danger Reef.	??
	南子岛 Nanzi Dao (C)
	Đảo Song Tử Tây (V)
Spratly Island (proper)	Lagos (P) lit. passage	The fourth largest Spratly island. 2.5 m high, flat. Covered with bushes, grass, birds and guano. 5.5 m-high obelisk at southern tip. Has landing strip, and a fishing port. Fringing reef is above water at low tide. Some structures with soldiers stationed. Occupied since 1974.	13
	南威岛 Nanwei Dao (C)
	Đảo Trường Sa (V)
Alison Reef	六门礁 Liumen Jiao (C)	Naturally above water only at low tide. Encloses a lagoon.	0
	Bãi Tốc Tan (V)
Barque Canada Reef	Mascado (P)	Coral. Highest rocks are 4.5 m high, at SW end. Much of reef is above water at high tide. Some sandy patches.  miles ( km) long. Its military structures were recently upgraded. Occupied since 1987.	0
	柏礁 Bai Jiao (C)
	Bãi Thuyền Chài (V)
	Terumbu Perahu (M)
Bombay Castle		See Rifleman Bank	0
Central London Reef	中礁 Zhong Jiao (C)	SW part is a sandbank which barely submerges at high tide. The rest is coral reef, awash, surrounding a lagoon. Occupied since 1978. Part of London Reefs.	0
	Đảo Trường Sa Đông (V)
Collins Reef/ Johnson North Reef	鬼喊礁 Guihan Jiao (C)	Connected to Johnson South Reef. A "coral dune" is located at the southeast corner, above the high tide line. Part of Union Banks.	0
	Đá Cô Lin (V)
Cornwallis South Reef	南华礁 Nanhua Jiao (C)	Naturally above water only at low tide. Encloses a lagoon. Occupied since 1988.	0
	Đá Núi Le (V)
Great Discovery Reef	Paredes (P)	Several rocks are above water at high tide. Most of reef is above water at low tide. Has lagoon. Occupied since 1988.	0
	大现礁 Daxian Dao (C)
	Đá Lớn (V)
East London Reef	Silangan (P) lit. east	Rocks up to 1 m high. Encloses a lagoon. Occupied since 1988. Part of London Reefs.	0
	东礁 Dong Jiao (C)
	Đá Đông (V)
Grainger Bank	李准滩 Lizhun Tan (C)	Shallowest natural depth is either 9 m or 11 m. Occupied since 1989.	0
	Bãi Quế Đường (V)
Higgens Reef	屈原礁 Quyuan Jiao (C)	Only above water at low tide. Part of Union Banks.	0
	Đá Hi Ghen, Đá Hi Gen (V)
Johnson North Reef		See Collins Reef	0
Ladd Reef	日积礁 Riji Jiao (C)	Naturally above water at low tide. Has coral lagoon. Occupied since 1988.	0
	Đá Lát (V)
Lan(d)sdowne Reef	琼礁 Qiong Jiao (C)	Sand dune, with fringing reef. Part of Union Banks.	0
	Đá Len Đao (V)
Pearson Reef	Hizon (P)	Two sand "cays", 2 m and 1 m high, lie on the edges of a lagoon. Parts of the surrounding reef are above water at high tide. Occupied since 1988.	0
	毕生礁 Bisheng Jiao (C)
	Đảo Phan Vinh (V)
Petley Reef	舶兰礁 Bolan Jiao (C)	Naturally above water only at low tide, some small rocks might stand above high water. Occupied since 1988. Part of Tizard Banks.	0
	Đá Núi Thị (V)
Pigeon Reef/ Tennent Reef	无乜礁 Wumie Jiao (C)	Numerous rocks are naturally above the high tide line. Encloses a lagoon. Occupied since 1988.	0
	Đá Tiên Nữ (V)
Prince Consort Bank	西卫滩 Xiwei Tan (C)	Shallowest natural depth is 9 m. Occupied since 1989.	0
	Bãi Phúc Nguyên (V)
Rifleman Bank (containing Bombay Castle)	南薇滩 Nanwei Tan (C)	Shallowest natural depth is 3 m, called Bombay Castle. Sand and coral. Occupied since 1989.	0
	Bãi Vũng Mây (V)
South Reef	奈罗礁 Nailuo Jiao (C)	A tiny cay appears atop this reef on the most detailed map available. On the southwest end of North Danger Reef. Fringing reef is above water at low tide. Occupied since 1988. Part of North Danger Reef.	0
	Đá Nam (V)
Tennent Reef		See Pigeon Reef	0
Vanguard Bank	万安滩 Wan'an Tan (C)	Shallowest natural depth is 16 m. Vietnam has run two "economic technological service stations" in this area since July 1994. Occupied since 1989.	0
	Bãi Tư Chính (V)
West London Reef	西礁 Xi Jiao (C)	East part is sand "cay", 0.6 m high. West part is coral reef which is above water only at low tide. Between them is a lagoon. Vietnam erected a lighthouse here in May or June 1994. Part of London Reefs.	0
	Đá Tây (V)
Total		7 islands, 16 reefs, 3 banks	<40
Malaysia
Int'l Name	Local Names	Description	Area (ha.)
Ardesier Reef	安渡滩 Andu Tan (C)	Naturally above water only at low tide. Encloses a lagoon. Has a few sandy patches. Several soldiers stationed. Occupied since 1986.	0
	Bãi Kiêu Ngựa (V)
	Terumbu Ubi (M)
Dallas Reef	光星礁 Guangxing Jiao (C)	Naturally above water only at low tide. Encloses a lagoon. Several soldiers stationed. Malaysia is also using this reef for tourism.	0
	Terumbu Laya (M)
Erica Reef	Boji Jiao (C)	Above water only at low tide. Some isolated rocks on the eastern edge stand above high water.	0
	Terumbu Siput (M)
Investigator Shoal	Yuya Jiao (C)	Above water only at low tide. Some large rocks at the western end are visible at high water. Encloses a lagoon.	0
	Bãi Thám Hiểm (V)
	Terumbu Peninjau (M)
Louisa Reef	南通礁 Nantong Jiao (C)	Rocks 1 m high. Malaysia operates a lighthouse here.	0
	Terumbu Semarang/ Barat Kecil (M)
Mariveles Reef	Mariveles (P) after Mariveles, Bataan, the starting point of Bataan Death March	A sand cay, 1.5-2 m high, surrounded by two lagoons, parts of which are above water at high tide. Several soldiers stationed. Occupied since 1986.	0
	南海礁 Nanhai Jiao (C)
	Bãi /Đá Kỳ Vân (V)
	Terumbu Mantanani (M)
Swallow Reef	弹丸礁 Danwan Jiao (C)	Treeless cay and rocks up to 3 m high surround a lagoon. Malaysia has drawn territorial seas around this and Amboyna Cay. Some 70 plus soldiers stationed here maintain a beacon. Has a fishing port and a 15-room diving resort, including a 1.5 km airstrip. Soil and trees have been planted on what was "four miles of treeless beaches and coral reefs."[citation needed] Occupied since 1983.	6.2
	Đá Hoa Lau (V)
	Terumbu Layang Layang (M)
Total		1 manmade island, 5 reefs, 1 shoal	6.2
China
Int'l Name	Local Names	Description	Area (ha.)
Cuarteron Reef	华阳礁 Huayang Jiao (C)	Coral rocks only. Highest are 1.5 m high, on the north. Occupied since 1988. Part of London Reefs.	0
	Bãi /Đá Châu Viên (V)
Fiery Cross Reef/ Northwest Investigator Reef	Kagilingan (P)	Rocks up to 1 m high. All below at high tide, but has guano deposits. PRC built a navy harbor by blasting, piling up and cementing coral, but says no soldiers stationed here. 8,080 square meters,  miles ( km) long, with airstrip. "Marine observation station" built in 1988; coconut, fir, and banyan trees planted. Actually 3 reefs. Occupied since 1988.	0
	永暑礁 Yongshu Jiao (C)
	Đá Chữ Thập (V)
Gaven Reefs	南薰礁 Nanxun Jiao (Northern reef) / Xinan or Duolu Jiao (S. reef) (C)	A sand dune, 2 m high. Has fringing reef plus a reef  miles ( km) to the south, both covered at high tide. Now all cement and a raised metal frame, with two-story buildings placed on top. Southern reef was occupied by PRC on 7/4/92. Occupied since 1988.Part of Tizard Banks.	0
	Đá Ga Ven (V)
Johnson South Reef	Mabini (P) after Apolinario Mabini	Contiguous with Collins Reef. Naturally above water only at low tide, but [9] says many rocks above water at high tide. Site of 1988 PRC/Vietnam clash. Occupied since 1988. Part of Union Banks.	0
	赤瓜礁 Chigua Jiao (C)
	Đá Gạc Ma (V)
Kennan Reef	西门礁 Ximen Jiao (C)	Naturally above water at least at low tide. Occupied since 1988. Part of Union Banks.	0
	Đá Ken Nan (V)
Mischief Reef	Panganiban (P)	Some rocks above water at low tide. Has a lagoon. In Feb. 1995, PRC had built a wooden complex on stilts here, starting its formal occupation of the feature. In 1999, Philippines protested over this structures claiming that it is a military outpost and it poses danger to Philippine security and national defense, being  miles ( km) from Palawan. PRC claims it is a shelter for fishermen.	0
	美济礁 Meiji Jiao (C)
	Đá Vành Khăn (V)
Northwest Investigator Reef		See Fiery Cross Reef	0
Subi Reef	渚碧礁 Zhubi Dao (C)	Naturally above water only at low tide. Surrounds a lagoon. PRC has constructed 3-story buildings, wharfs, and a helipad here.	0
	Đá Su Bi (V)
Whitson Reef	牛轭礁 Niu'e Jiao (C)	Some rocks naturally above water at high tide. Part of Union Banks.	0
	Đá Ba Đầu (V)
Total		8 reefs	0

Unoccupied Features

Not Occupied But Largely Controlled by the Philippines
The reefs, shoals, etc. to the east of the 116 longitude are closely guarded by the Philippine Navy and Air Force. Though not occupied, Philippines undeniably has control over these features which are less  miles ( km) from the Palawan west coast (except for Scarborough Shoal which is  miles ( km) from Zambales). There are many Filipino fishermen in this region, who cooperate closely with the Philippine Navy. Non-Filipino fishermen are tolerated in this region provided that they comply with Philippine laws. The media in the Philippines have reported many arrests of Chinese fishermen by the Philippine Navy on grouds of usage of illegal fishing methods and cathing of endangered sea species, both in this region and in the Sulu Sea. Philippine military presence in this region intensified after the 1995 Mischief Reef incident. Philippine Air Force has been active in striking even the markers set up by other countries in this region.
Int'l Name	Local Names	Description	Area (ha.)
Bombay Shoal	蓬勃暗沙 Pengbo Ansha (C)	Several rocks are exposed at low tide. Surrounds a lagoon.	0
Boxall Reef	Niuchelun Jiao (C)	Above water only at low tide.	0
Brown Reef			0
Carnadic Shoal			0
Glasgow Bank			0
Half Moon Shoal	Banyue Jiao (C)	Several rocks on the eastern side rise one to two feet above high tide. Encloses a lagoon.	0
	Bãi Trăng Khuyết (V)
Hardy Reef	Banlu Jiao (C)	Naturally above water only at low tide. Surrounds a narrow strip of sand.	0
Hopkins Reef			0
Investigator Northeast Shoal			0
Iroquois Reef	Houteng Jiao (C)	Above water only at low tide.	0
Leslie Bank			0
Lord Auckland Shoal			0
Pensylvania North Reef			0
Pensylvania South Reef			0
Reed Tablemount (including Nares Bank and Marie Louise Bank)	Lile Tan (C)	Shallowest natural depth is 9 m. About  square miles ( km²) in area. Philippines occupied this feature in 1971 and a Philippine-Sweden joint oil-exploration followed afterwards. However, China protested this act of the Philippines saying that this tablemount which center lies  miles ( km) from the Philippines is part of China's territories. After that, Philippines tried asking China for a joint effort but China declined arguing that Philippines has no right in this feature. Presently, no country is occupying this feature but is still largely controlled by the Philippines.	0
	Bãi Cỏ Rồng (V)
Royal Captain Shoal	Jiangzhang Ansha (C)	A few rocks are above water at low tide. Surrounds a lagoon.	0
Sandy Shoal			0
Scarborough Shoal	Huang Yen Tao (C)	Not actually part of Spratly Island group. It is farther north, about  miles ( km) from Palauig, Zambales, Phils. Several rocks up to 3 m high. Much of the reef is just below water at high tide. Encloses a lagoon. Near the mouth of the lagoon are the ruins of an iron tower, 8.3 m high. Presently occupied by the Philippine Navy, fishing is tolerated in the area. Many Chinese fishermen were already arrested here by the Philippine Navy for using illegal fishing methods and catching of endangered sea species.	0
Seahorse Shoal			0
Templar Bank			0
With Uncertain Possession
Some sources say that these features are occupied by Vietnam or China, but most sources, including the most recent, say they are not occupied. Some features listed here may not exist and might have been confused with other existing features.
Int'l Name	Local Names	Description	Area (ha.)
Discovery Small Reef	Xiaoxian Jiao (C)	Above water only at low tide. Some sources say that this is possessed by Vietnam.	0
	Đá Nhỏ (V)
Eldad Reef	Beting Burgai (P)	Only a few large rocks are naturally above water at high tide. Part of Tizard Banks. Some sources say that this is possessed by China and some say by Vietnam.	0
	Anda Jiao (C)
Hughes Reef	Dongmen Jiao (C)	Above water only at low tide. Part of Union Banks. Some sources say that this is possessed by China.	0
Loaita Cay	Nanyao Shazhou (C)	A sand cay, with fringing reef naturally above water at high tide. Not to be confused with Loaita Island. Some sources say that this is possessed by China.	??
	Bãi Loại Ta (V)
Loaita Nan/ Loaita Southwest Reef	Shuanghuang Shazhou (C)	Never above water. Some sources say that this is possessed by China.	0
	Bãi Loại Ta Nam (V)
North Reef	Dongbei Jiao (C)	At NE end of North Danger Reef. Naturally above water only at low tide. Part of North Danger Reef. Some sources say that this is possessed by China and some say by Vietnam.	0
Owen Shoal	Aoyuan Ansha (C)	Shallowest natural depth is 6 m. Some sources say that this is possessed by Vietnam.	0
Prince of Wales Bank	Guangya Tan (C)	Shallowest natural depth is 7 m. Has corals. Some sources say that this is possessed by China and some say by Vietnam.	0
	Bãi Phúc Tần (V)
Not Occupied by any Country
Int'l Name	Local Names	Description	Area (ha.)
Alicia Anne Reef	Arellano (P)	A sand "cay", 1.2 m high. Many rocks above high tide line.	0
	Xian'e Jiao (C)
	Đá Suối Ngọc (V)
Baker Reef	Gongzhen Jiao (C)	Awash at low tide.	0
First Thomas Reef	Xinyi Jiao (C)	A few rocks are permanently above sea level. Much of the reef is above water at low tide. Encloses a lagoon.	0
	Bãi Suối Ngà (V)
Holiday Reef	Changxian Jiao (C)	Above water only at low tide. Part of Union Banks.	0
Hopps Reef	Lusha Jiao (C)	Above water only at low tide. Part of Southampton Reefs.	0
	Đá Hop (V)
Jackson Atoll	Wufan(g) Jiao (C)	Four or five portions are above water at low tide. Encloses a lagoon.	0
Livock Reef	Sanjiao Jiao (C)	Above water only at low tide. Some rocks still visible at high tide. Part of Southampton Reefs.	0
Menzies Reef	Mengzi Jiao (C)	Awash at low tide. Part of Loaita Bank.	0
	Đá Men Di (V)
Sandy Cay/ Extension Reef	Tiexian Jiao (C)	A low sand cay; fringing reef above water at high tide.	??
Tieshi Jiao	Tieshi Jiao (C)	Above water only at low tide. Located northeast of Thitu Island and unnamed on most maps.	0
Zhangxi Jiao	Zhangxi Jiao (C)	Small reef, partly above water only at low tide. Part of Union Banks.	0

Claimed Features of Countries having Partial Claims

Only China (inclusive of Taiwan) and Vietnam claims all of the Spartly Island Chain. They even claim features that are just 50 km from other countries like Philippines and Malaysia. However, Philippines, Malaysia and Brunei all have partial claims only. Here are the islands claimed but not occupied by these three countries (parenthesis refer to the country currently occupying the feature):

Philippines: Itu Aba Island (T), Amboyna Cay (V), Namyit Island (V), Sand Cay (V), Sin Cowe Island (V), Sin Cowe East Island (V), Southwest Cay (V), Spratly Island Proper (V), Pigeon Reef (V), South Reef (V), Ardasier Reef (M), Erica Reef (M), Investigator Shoal (M), Mariveles Reef (M), Mischief Reef (C), Subi Reef (C) and all of features to the east of the 116 longitude (unoccupied) (see Unoccupied but Largely Controlled by the Philippines subtable).

Malaysia: please fill this

Brunei: Rifleman Bank (V), Louisa Reef (M) and Owen Shoal (uncertain)

20th century timeline

1927	The French ship SS De Lanessan conducted a scientific survey of the Spratly Islands
1930	France launched a second expedition with the La Malicieuse, which raised the French flag on an island called Ile de la Tempete. Chinese fishermen were present on the island, but the French made no attempt to expel them.
1932	The Republic of China sent the French government a memorandum contesting their sovereignty over the Spratlys, based on the Chinese interpretation of the 1887 treaty ending the [[Sino-French War]].
1933	Three French ships had taken control of nine of the largest islands and declared French sovereignty over the archipelago. France administered the area as part of Cochinchina. The [[Empire of Japan]] disputed French sovereignty over the islands, citing evidence of phosphate mining by private Japanese citizens.
1939	Japan declared its intention to place the island group under its jurisdiction. France and the United Kingdom protested and reasserted French sovereignty claims.
1941	Japan forcibly occupied the island group and remained in control until the end of World War II, administering the area as part of Taiwan. A submarine base was established on Itu Aba.
1945	After Japan's surrender at the end of World War II, France and the Republic of China reassert claims on the Spratly Islands. China sent troops to the islands, and Chinese landing forces erected sovereignty markers.
1946	France dispatched warships to the islands several times but no attempts are made to evict Chinese forces.
1947	France demanded the Chinese withdraw from the islands.
1948	France ceased maritime patrols near the islands and China withdrew most of its troops.
1951	At the 1951 San Francisco Conference on the Peace Treaty with Japan, delegates from Vietnam; which, at that time, was still French-controlled; claimed sovereignty over the Paracel and the Spratly Islands.
1956	Tomas Cloma, director of the Maritime Institute of the Philippines, claimed sovereignty over much of the Spratly Islands, naming his territory "Kalaya'an" ("Freedomland"). The People's Republic of China, the Republic of China, France, South Vietnam, the United Kingdom and the Netherlands all issued protests. The Republic of China and South Vietnam launched naval units to the islands, though South Vietnam left no permanent garrison. North Vietnam supported the PRC's claims, declaring that "according to Vietnamese data, the Xisha and Nansha Islands are historically part of Chinese territory." Later in the year, South Vietnam declared its annexation of the Spratly Islands as part of its Phuoc Tuy province.
1958	The People's Republic of China issued a declaration defining its territorial waters which encompassed the Spratly Islands. North Vietnam's prime minister, Pham Van Dong, sent a formal note to Zhou Enlai, stating that "The Government of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam respects this decision."
1961-3	South Vietnam established sovereignty markers on several islands in the chain.
1968	The Philippines sent troops to three islands on the premise of protecting Kalayaan citizens and announced the annexation of the Kalayaan island group.
1971	Malaysia issued claims to some of the Spratly Islands.
1972	The Philippines incorporated the Kalayaan islands into its Palawan province.
1975	A recently-unified Vietnam declared claims over the Spratly Islands.
1978	A presidential decree from the Philippines outlined territorial claims to the islands.
1979	Malaysia published a map of its continental shelf claim, which includes twelve islands from the Spratly group. Vietnam published a white paper outlining its claims to the islands and disputing those of the other claimants.
1982	Vietnam published another white paper, occupied several of the islands and constructed military installations. The Philippines also occupied several more islands and constructed an air strip.
1983	Malaysia occupied Swallow Reef (Layang Layang), one of the Spratly Islands. A naval base and resort was later built at this location.
1984	Brunei established an exclusive fishing zone encompassing the Louisa Reef in the southern Spratly Islands, but did not publicly claim the area.
1987	The People's Republic of China conducted naval patrols in the Spratly Islands and established a permanent base.
1988	PRC and Vietnam ships had a minor clash over Johnson Reef. PRC forces prevailed and retain control of the area.

See also

• Kingdom of Humanity
• South China Sea Islands
• Paracel Islands
• Junk Keying
• Kalayaan, Palawan, Philippines
• Zheng He
• Crysis, a computer game set on the Spratly Islands.
• SSN, a computer game set during a conflict over the Spratly Islands.
• List of islands in the South China Sea
• Rockall

Territorial disputes of the Philippines
Sabah • Scarborough Shoal • Spratly Islands

Territorial disputes in East, South, and Southeast Asia
Type	Territory	Currently Administered by	Claimants
Land:	Aksai Chin		2
	Arunachal Pradesh		2
	Assam
	East Turkestan		1 2
	Heixiazi / Bolshoy Ussuriyskiy (Eastern part)2
	Heixiazi / Bolshoy Ussuriyskiy (Western part)2
	Indo-Bangladesh enclaves3
	Kashmir3		2
	Kachin State		1 2