Foreign Correspondence

[Amaunet]

China refers to the Spratly Islands as the Nansha Islands, and claims all of the islands and most of the South China Sea for historical reasons. These claims are not marked by coordinates or otherwise clearly defined.

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 China, Taiwan, and Vietnam, while portions are claimed by Malaysia and the Philippines. About 50 islands are occupied by China (about 450 soldiers), Malaysia (70-90), the Philippines (about 100), and Vietnam (about 1,500). Brunei is a claimant but has no outposts.
http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/pg.html

China has repeatedly expressed opposition to the tourist activities to the Nansha Islands organized by Vietnam, calling it an infringement on China's territorial sovereignty.
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2004-04/20/content_1430825.htm

Vietnam has recently become a surprising new military partner for the U.S. which could have something to do with their pushing of the Spratly issue, because if China objects to Vietnam’s tourist activities on the Spratly Islands the airport is really going to piss them off. Gutsy move on Nam’s part, big conflicts often erupt over small islands. -Am

See also:

#msg-2880156
#msg-2880181



Vietnam's move to build airport on Nansha islands will complicate situation: spokesman

www.chinaview.cn 2004-05-18 20:55:18


BEIJING, May 18 (Xinhuanet) -- Vietnam's move to build an airport on Nansha islands will further complicate the situation in the South China Sea, said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao here Tuesday.

Liu said at a regular news conference that China holds a clear-cut stance over the issue of the Nansha islands, and China has full historical and legal evidence to prove that it possesses indisputable sovereignty over the Nansha islands and surrounding waters.

Vietnam's move has not only infringed upon China's territorial sovereignty and is illegal and invalid, Liu said, and this move also violated the commitments enshrined in the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea between China and the Association of Southeastern Asian Nations (ASEAN).

It is reported that Vietnam has begun building an airport at an island of Nansha islands, and the project is expected to finish by the end of this year. Enditem

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2004-05/18/content_1477000.htm





Territorial claims in the Spratly and Paracel Islands
Country Claim Control
Brunei Does not claim any of the islands, but claims part of the South China Seas nearest to it as part of its continental shelf and Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). In 1984, Brunei declared an EEZ that includes Louisa Reef.

China Refers to the Spratly Islands as the Nansha islands, and claims all of the islands and most of the South China Sea for historical reasons. These claims are not marked by coordinates or otherwise clearly defined.

Chinese claims are based on a number of historical events, including the naval expeditions to the Spratly Islands by the Han Dynasty in 110 AD and the Ming Dynasty from 1403-1433 AD. Chinese fishermen and merchants have worked the region over time, and China is using archaeological evidence to bolster its claims of sovereignty.

In the 19th and early 20th century, China asserted claims to the Spratly and Paracel islands. During World War II, the islands were claimed by the Japanese. In 1947, China produced a map with 9 undefined dotted lines, and claimed all of the islands within those lines. A 1992 Chinese law restated its claims in the region.

China has occupied some of those islands. In 1976, China enforced its claim upon the Paracel Islands by seizing them from Vietnam. China refers to the Paracel Islands as the Xisha Islands, and includes them as part of its Hainan Island province.
Cuarteron Reef
Fiery Cross Reef
Gaven Reef
Hughes Reef
Johnson Reef
Mischief Reef
Subi Reef

Indonesia Not a claimant to any of the Spratly Islands. However, Chinese and Taiwanese claims in the South China Sea extend into Indonesia's EEZ and continental shelf, including Indonesia's Natuna gas field.

Malaysia Claims are based upon the continental shelf principle, and have clearly defined coordinates. Malaysia has occupied three islands that it considers to be within its continental shelf. Malaysia has tried to build up one atoll by bringing soil from the mainland and has built a hotel.
Malaysia controls the following islands in the Spratlys:
Ardasier Reef
(Terumbu Ubi)
Mariveles Reef
(Terumbu Mantanani)
Swallow Reef
(Terumbu Layang)

Philippines Its Spratly claims have clearly defined coordinates, based both upon the proximity principle as well as on the explorations of a Philippine explorer in 1956. In 1971, the Philippines officially claimed 8 islands that it refers to as the Kalayaan, partly on the basis of this exploration, arguing that the islands: 1) were not part of the Spratly Islands; and 2) had not belonged to anybody and were open to being claimed. In 1972, they were designated as part of Palawan Province.
The Philippines
control the following
islands in the Spratlys:
Kota or Loaita Island
Lawak or Nansham Island
Likas or West York Island
Panata or Lamkian Cay
Pag-asa or Thitu Island
Parola or North East Cay
Patag or Flat Island
Rizal or Commodore Reef

Taiwan Taiwan's claims are similar to those of China, and are based upon the same principles. As with China, Taiwan's claims are also not clearly defined.
Taiwan controls Itu Aba [Taiping Dao] Island
Vietnam Vietnamese claims are based on history and the continental shelf principle. Vietnam claims the entire Spratly Islands as an offshore district of the province of Khanh Hoa. Vietnamese claims also cover an extensive area of the South China Sea, although they are not clearly defined. The Vietnamese have followed the Chinese example of using archaeological evidence to bolster sovereignty claims. In the 1930's, France claimed the Spratly and Paracel Islands on behalf of its then-colony Vietnam.

Vietnam has occupied a number of the Spratly Islands. In addition, Vietnam claims the Paracel Islands, although they were seized by the Chinese in 1974.
In the Spratlys, Vietnam controls 21 islands, reefs, shoals, and cays:
Alison Reef
Amboyan Reef
Barque Canada Reef
Central London Reef
Cornwallis South Reef
Da Gri-san
Da Hi Gen
East London Reef
Great Discovery Reef
Ladd Reef
Landsdowne Reef
Namyit Island
Pearson Reef
Petley Reef
Sand Cay
Sin Cowe Island
South Reef
South West Cay
Spratly Island
Tennent Reef
West London Reef

http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/war/spratly-claims.htm