International Claims in Spratly and Oil Claims

Territorial claims in the Spratly and Paracel Islands


- 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 1974, 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. 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

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