Spratly Islands

The Spratly Islands ({{zh-stp|s=???? |t=???? |p= Nánsh? Qúnd?o}} literally “Southern sands Archipelago” (also “Nansha Islands”); Vietnamese: Qu?n ??o Tr??ng Sa “Long Sands Archipelago”; Filipino: Kalayaan "Freedom") are a disputed group of approximately 100 reefs and islets in the South China Sea. Part of the South China Sea Islands, the Spratlys are surrounded by rich fishing grounds and gas and oil deposits, whose true extent are unknown and disputed. The People’s Republic of China (PRC), the Republic of China (Taiwan), and Vietnam each claim sovereignty over the entire group of islands, while Brunei, Malaysia,and the Philippines each claim various parts. Several of the nations involved have soldiers stationed in the Spratlys and control various installations on different islands and reefs. Taiwan occupies one of the largest islands, Itu Aba. In February 1995, the PRC occupied Mischief Reef, creating a substantial political crisis in Southeast Asia, especially with the Philippines. In early 1999, these disputes escalated as the Philippines claimed that the PRC was building military installations on the reef. Although the disputes have calmed to some degree, they still remain one of the most plausible scenarios for a major East Asian war involving the PRC or a smaller war between other claimants.

Related Topics:
Vietnamese - Filipino - South China Sea - South China Sea Islands - People’s Republic of China - Republic of China - Vietnam - Brunei - Malaysia - Philippines - Itu Aba - Mischief Reef - PRC

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~