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The Spratly Islands are a group of more than 650 reefs, islets, atolls, caysmarker and islands in the South China Seamarker between the Philippinesmarker, Chinamarker, Malaysiamarker, Bruneimarker, and Vietnammarker. They comprise less than five square kilometers of land area, spread over more than 400,000 square kilometers of sea. The Spratlys, as they are called, are part of the three archipelagos of the South China Sea, comprising more than 30,000 islands and reefs and which so complicates geography, governance and economics in that region of Southeast Asia. Such small and remote islands have little economic value in themselves, but are important in establishing international boundaries. There are no native islanders but there are rich fishing grounds and initial surveys indicate the islands may contain significant oil and gas.

About 45 islands are occupied by relatively small numbers of military forces from the People's Republic of Chinamarker, the Republic of China marker, Malaysiamarker, the Philippinesmarker, and Vietnammarker. Bruneimarker has claimed an EEZ in the southeastern part of the Spratlys encompassing just one area of small islands above mean high water (on Louisa Reef.)

Geographic and economic overview

  • Coordinates: (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:
  • Climate: tropical
  • Terrain: flat
  • Elevation extremes:
    • lowest point: South China Sea (0 m)
    • highest point: unnamed location on Southwest Caymarker (4 m)
  • Natural hazards: serious maritime hazards because of numerous banks, reefs and shoals


The islands are most likely volcanic in origin. The islands themselves contain almost no significant 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 includes commercial fishing, shipping, and tourism. 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 of hydrocarbons has yet to be developed. The Spratly Islands have at least three fishing ports, several docks and harbors, at least three heliports, at least four territorial rigging style outposts (especially due west of Namyit), and six to eight airstrips. These islands are strategically located near several primary shipping lanes.

Ecology

Coral reefs

Coral reefs are the predominant structure of these islands; the Spratly group contains over 600 coral reefs in total.

Vegetation

Little vegetation grows on these islands, which are subject to intense monsoons. Larger islands are capable of supporting tropical forest, scrub forest, coastal scrub and grasses. It is difficult to determine which species have been introduced or cultivated by humans. Itu Abamarker Island was reportedly covered with shrubs, coconut, and mangroves in 1938; pineapple was also cultivated here when it was profitable. Other accounts mention papaya, banana, palm, and even white peach trees growing on one island. A few islands which have been developed as small tourist resorts have had soil and trees brought in and planted where there were none.

Wildlife

The islands that do have vegetation provide important habitats for many seabirds and sea turtles.

Both the Green Turtle (Chelonia mydas, endangered) and the Hawksbill Turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata, critically endangered) formerly occurred in numbers sufficient to support commercial exploitation. These species reportedly continue to nest even on islands inhabited by military personnel (such as Pratasmarker) to some extent, though it is believed that their numbers have declined.

Seabirds use the islands for resting, breeding, and wintering sites. Species found here include Streaked Shearwater (Calonectris Leucomelas), Brown Booby (Sula Leucogaster), Red-Footed Booby (S. sula), Great Crested Tern (Sterna bergii), and White Tern (Gygis Alba). Little information is available regarding current status of the islands’ seabird populations, though it is likely that birds may divert nesting site to smaller, less disturbed islands. Bird eggs cover the majority of Song Tu, a small island in the eastern Danger Zone.

Unfortunately, this ecoregion is still largely a mystery. Scientists have focused their research on the marine environment, while the ecology of the terrestrial environment remains relatively unknown.

Ecological hazards

Political instability, tourism and the increasing industrialization of neighboring countries has led to serious disruption of native flora and fauna, over-exploitation of natural resources, and environmental pollution. Disruption of nesting areas by human activity or by introduced animals, such as dogs, has reduced the number of turtles nesting on the islands. Sea turtles are also slaughtered for food on a significant scale. The sea turtle is a symbol of longevity in Chinese customs and at times the military personnel are given orders to protect the turtles.

Heavy commercial fishing in the region incurs other problems. Though it has been outlawed, fishing methods continue to include the use of bottom trawls fitted with chain rollers. In addition, during a recent routine patrol, more than 200 kg of Potassium cyanide solution was confiscated from fishermen who had been using it for fish poisoning. These activities have a devastating impact on local marine organisms and coral reefs.

Some interest has been taken in regard to conservation of these island ecosystems. J.W. McManus has explored the possibilities of designating portions of the Spratly Islands as a marine park. One region of the Spratly Archipelago, called Truong Samarker, was proposed by Vietnam’s Ministry of Science, Technology and the Environment (MOSTE) as a future protected area. The 160 km2 site is currently managed by the Khanh Hoamarker Provincial People’s Committee of Vietnam.

Military groups in the Spratlys have engaged in environmentally damaging activities such as shooting turtles and seabirds, raiding nests, and fishing with explosives.The collection of rare medicinal plants, collecting of wood and hunting for the wildlife trade are common threats to the biodiversity of the entire region, including these islands.Coral habitats are threatened by pollution, over-exploitation of fish and invertebrates, and the use of explosives and poisons as fishing techniques.

History

Early cartography of the Spratly Islands

Geographic map of Spratlys.
Click for more detailed image.
The first possible human interaction with the Spratly Islands dates back between 600 BCE to 3 BCE. This is based on the theoretical migration patterns of the people of Nanyue (southern Chinamarker and northern Vietnam) and Old Champa kingdom who may have migrated from Borneo, which may have led them through the Spratly Islands.

Ancient Chinese maps record the "Thousand Li Stretch of Sands"; Qianli Changsha (千里長沙) and the "Ten-Thousand Li of Stone Pools"; Wanli Shitang (萬里石塘), which China today claims refers to the Spratly Islands. The Wanli Shitang have been explored by the Chinese since the Yuan Dynastymarker and may have been considered within their national boundaries. 
They are also referenced in the 13th century, followed by the Ming Dynasty. When the Ming Dynasty collapsed, the Qing Dynastymarker continued to include the territory in maps compiled in 1724, 1755, 1767, 1810, and 1817. A Vietnamese map from 1834 also includes the Spratly Islands clumped in with the Paracelsmarker (a common occurrence on maps of that time) labeled as "Wanli Changsha".


According to Hanoimarker, old Vietnamese maps record Bãi Cát Vàng (Golden Sandbanks, referring to both Paracelsmarker and the Spratly Islands) which lay near the Coast of the central Vietnam as early as 1838. 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.

Despite the fact that China and Vietnam both made a claim to these territories simultaneously, at the time, neither side was aware that their neighbor had already charted and made claims to the same stretch of islands.

The islands were sporadically visited throughout the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries by mariners from different European powers (including Richard 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. Many European maps before the 20th century do not even make mention of this region.

Military conflict

In 1933, Francemarker reasserted its claims from 1887 to the Spratly and Paracel Islands on behalf of its then-colony Vietnam. It occupied a number of the Spratly Islands, including Itu Abamarker, 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 the nine islands. In 1935, the ROC government also announced a sovereignty claim on the Spratly 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). Today, Itu Aba Islandmarker is still administrated by the Republic of Chinamarker, which took over the control of Taiwan from Japan in 1945.

Following the defeat of Japan at the end of World War II, China re-claimed the entirety of the Spratly Islands (including Itu Aba), accepting the Japanese surrender on the islands based on the Cairo and Potsdam Declarations. The ROC government withdrew from most of the Spratly and Paracel Islands after they retreated to Taiwan from the opposing Communist Party of China, which founded the People's Republic of China in 1949. ROC quietly withdrew troops from Itu Aba in 1950, but reinstated them in 1956 in response to Tomas Cloma's sudden claim to the island as part of Freedomland.

Japan renounced all claims to the islands in the 1951 San Francisco Peace Treaty, together with the Paracels, Pratas & other islands captured from China, upon which China reasserted its claim to the islands.

The naval units of the Vietnamese government took over in Trường Sa after the defeat of the French at the end of the First Indochina War. In 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 the decision by China regarding the 12 nautical mile limit of territorial waters . However, South Vietnam still claimed jurisdiction over the islands.

Modern territorial dispute

Hydrocarbons

There are multiple reasons why the neighboring nations would be interested in the Spratly Islands. In 1968 oil was discovered in the region. The Geology and Mineral Resources Ministry of the People's Republic of China (PRC) 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 Kuwaitmarker, 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.

In 1968, the Philippines started to take their claims a bit more seriously and stationed troops on three islands which had been claimed by the adventurer Tomas Cloma as part of Freedomland. In 1973 Vietnamese troops were stationed on five islands.

On 11 March 1976, the first major Philippine oil discovery occurred off the coast of Palawanmarker, 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, Coloradomarker) 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 Seamarker that includes Spratly Island areas. Part of the Crestone's contract covered Vietnam’s blocks 133 and 134, where PetroVietnam, PetroStar Energy(USA) 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.

Commercial fishing

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 PRC, the Philippines and other nations over "foreign" fishing vessels in its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and the media regularly report the arrest of Chinese fishermen. In 1984, Brunei established an exclusive fishing zone encompassing Louisa Reef in the southeastern Spratly Islands.

Commercial shipping

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 Canalmarker and five times more than through the Panama Canalmarker; twenty five percent of the world’s crude oil passes through the South China Sea.

Confrontations and other incidences

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 armed transport ships supporting a landing party of Vietnamese soldiers.

Extended continental shelf claims

The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) procedure for countries with coastlines to submit claims for their continental shelf to be extended beyond 200 nautical miles of their shores brought the spotlight back to the South China Sea and Spratly Islands in May 2009. Two such submissions were made - one by Vietnam for a claim over the northern portion of the sea which included the Paracel Islandsmarker, and another jointly by Vietnam and Malaysia for a joint claim over a "defined area" in the middle of the sea between the two countries which included part of the Spratly Islands. Brunei, a potential claimant, has not submitted such a claim but had provided preliminary information to the United Nations notifying it of its intention to claim a continental shelf beyond 200 nautical miles from its shores.

China immediately issues protests over the two submissions and called on the United Nations not to consider them. It also issued a stern warning to countries not to claim the islands which it said were its sovereign territory.

Moves towards resolution

Diplomatic moves

Following a 1995 dispute between China and the Philippines, an ASEAN-brokered agreement was reached between the PRC and ASEAN member nations whereby one country would inform the other 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. 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 have also 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" . 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.

Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea 2002

This declaration was signed by the 10 foreign ministers of ASEAN countries and China on 4 November 2002 in Phnom Penh where the signatory countries pledged to resolve their sovereignty disputes in a peaceful manner, without resorting to the use of force and through direct negotiations among the countries concerned. The parties also undertook to exercise self-restraint with activities that would complicate or escalate disputes and affect peace and stability, including refraining from inhabiting on the presently uninhabited islands, reefs, shoals, cays, and other features.

In the interim, the parties pledged to carry out confidence building measures, such as by holding dialogues and exchange of views as appropriate between their defense and military officials; ensuring just and humane treatment of all persons who are in danger or distress; notifying on a voluntary basis other Parties concerned of any impending joint/combined military exercise; and exchanging, on a voluntary basis, relevant information.

The Parties may also explore or undertake cooperative activities such as marine environmental protection; marine scientific research; safety of navigation and communication at sea; search and rescue operation; and combating transnational crime, including but not limited to trafficking in illicit drugs, piracy and armed robbery at sea, and illegal traffic in arms.

Various claims

Spratly islands map showing occupied features marked with the flags of countries occupying them.
Click to enlarge.

Brunei

Bruneimarker claims the part of the South China Seasmarker nearest to it as part of its continental shelf and Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). In 1984, Brunei declared an EEZ encompassing the above-water islets it claims in Louisa Reef. Brunei does not practice military control in the area.

Basis of Brunei's claim

Brunei's claims to the reef are based on the Law of the Sea. It states that the southern part of the Spratly Chain is actually a part of its continental shelf and therefore a part of its territory and resources.

Malaysia

Malaysia has militarily occupied three islands that it considers to be within its continental shelf. Swallow Reefmarker (Layang Layang) has been turned into an island through land reclamation and hosts a dive resort.

The Malaysian military currently occupies Ardasier Reef (Terumbu Ubi), Mariveles Reef (Terumbu Mantanani) and Swallow Reefmarker (Terumbu Layang or Pulau Layang Layang).

Basis of Malaysia's claim

Malaysian claims are based upon the continental shelf principle, which requires clearly defined coordinates.

Criticisms of Malaysia's claim

Some countries believe that the right of sovereignty is based on who made their claim first and Malaysia's first claim was not made until 1979.

People's Republic of China and Republic of China (Taiwan)

The People's Republic of China (PRC) claim all of the Spratly Islands as part of China and had a historical naval presence. Recently, they have had a profound military impact on the area.

"Map of the South China Sea Islands", Ministry of the Interior, ROC, 1947.
Click for more details.


The Republic of China (ROC), which ruled Mainland China before 1949 and has been confined to Taiwanmarker since 1949, also claims all of the Spratly Islands. The ROC occupies Itu Abamarker, the largest island.

From 1932 to 1935, the ROC continued to include the territory in its administrative area through the Map Compilation Committee. When France claimed nine islands of the territory in 1933, it immediately encountered a revolt from Chinese fishermen and a protest from the Republic of China government in Nankingmarker. Although China continued to claim the islands, the Second Sino-Japanese war drew its attention for the mean time from 1937 onwards. After the second world war, China reclaimed sovereignty over the islands through post World War II arrangements based on various treaties of the Allied Powers and China built a hoar-stone on the island. In 1947, the government renamed 159 islands in the area and published the Map of the South China Sea Islands (See left).

In 1958, the People's Republic of China, having taken over all of the Republic of China's territory except Taiwan, Penghumarker, Kinmenmarker, and Matsu, issued a declaration of a 12 nautical mile limit territorial waters that encompassed the Spratly Islands. North Vietnam's prime minister, Phạm Văn Đồng, sent a formal note to recognize these claims and stated that the Government of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam (North Vietnam) respects the decision on the 12 nautical mile limit territorial waters.
South Vietnam (Republic of Vietnam) continued to assert sovereignty over the islands. Up to the end the end of the Vietnam War the army of the South Vietnamese still held military control over the majority of the Spratly islands. After the Vietnam War, the unified Vietnam continued to claim the Spratly islands as an integral part of Vietnam. Today, the People's Liberation Army and the military of the Republic of China are both stationed in several islands, including the largest, Taiping Islandmarker.

Basis for PRC's and ROC's claims

The PRC and ROC base their claims on the belief that the islands have been an integral part of Chinamarker for nearly two thousand years and that neighboring countries and European Powers took advantage of China's poor condition and diversity to impinge on its sovereignty.

Chinamarker claims to have discovered the islands in the Han Dynasty in 2 BC. The islands were claimed to have been marked on maps compiled during the time of Eastern Han Dynasty and Eastern Wu (one of the Three Kingdoms). Since the Yuan Dynastymarker in the 12th century, several islands that may be the Spratlys have been labeled as Chinese territory , followed by the Ming Dynastymarker and the Qing Dynastymarker from the 13th to 19th Century. In archaeological surveys the remains of Chinese pottery and coins have been found in the islands and are cited as proof for the PRC claim. Undersea Treasure Chest Stirs up Tensions, BBC, April 29, 1999.

In addition, the PRC's military presence ensures a tangible claim to other potential challengers of sovereignty over at least those inhabited areas.

Criticisms to the PRC's and ROC's claims

Surveying an area without establishing a civilization there or a military garrison does not hold the same political weight as staking an official claim. However, the PRC's claim to the Spratly Islands is mostly grounded in the philosophy that since they were present there first they rightly have sovereignty. But this is similar as the British claim to the Falkland Islandsmarker.

Many of these claims to sovereignty come directly from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China and cite works such as "Records of Rarities" also known as "Exotic Things" which also describes foreign lands and fantastical creatures such as mermaids, bringing the validity of the source into question. There is also doubt as to whether these sources state a claim of sovereignty or simply mention the Spratlys alongside other foreign lands.

Claims of pottery being found are mostly shipwrecked treasure from Chinese Galleons that sailed through the area and did not necessarily come from anyone who inhabited or even visited the islands.

Philippines

While the Philippines' 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 May 15, 1956, Filipino citizen and admiral Tomas Cloma proclaimed the founding of a new state, Kalayaan .

The text of the San Francisco treaty stated that Japan had to give up any claim of sovereignty over the Spratlys but did not specify the country to which the Spratlys would go. Tomas Cloma and the present day government's view is that this made the Spratlys res nullius.

Cloma’s Kalayaan encompassed fifty three features spread throughout the eastern South China Seamarker, Itu Aba, Pag-asa and Nam Yit Islands, as well as West York Islandmarker, North Danger Reef, Mariveles Reef and Investigator Shoal but not including Spratly Island proper. 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.

The ROC, the PRC, South Vietnam, France, the United Kingdommarker and the Netherlandsmarker lodged official protests (the Netherlands on the premise that it considered the Spratly Islands part of Dutch New Guinea) and The ROC 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 Yorkmarker 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 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:

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, and that the Philippines is the only claimant which can make such a statement. The 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS III) stated that within its territorial waters (out to 12 nautical miles from the baseline), a coastal state is free to set laws, regulate use, and use any resource and that exclusive economic zones (EEZs) extend 200 nautical miles from the baseline. Within an EEZ, the coastal nation has sole exploitation rights over all natural resources. China, the Philippines, and Vietnam are all signatories to the UNCLOS III areement. 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 Hamburgmarker.

Vietnam

Vietnam's response to China's claim is that Chinese records on Qianli Changsha and Wanli Shitang are in fact records about non-Chinese territories . For example, Qianli Changsha and Wanli Shitang were referred to in the ancient Chinese texts Ling Wai Dai Da and Zhu Fan Zhi as being in the Sea of Jiaozhi, Jiaozhi being the old name for northern Vietnam (Giao Chỉ), or as writings on foreign countries.

Vietnam's view is that the Chinese records do not constitute the declaration and exercise of sovereignty and that China did not declare sovereignty over the Spratlys until after World War II.

On the other hand, Vietnam claims the Spratlys based on international law on declaring and exercising sovereignty.
A western map depicting the islands as Vietnamese territory.
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 Tạp Lục (Miscellaneous Records of Pacification in the Border Area) by the scholar Lê Quý Đôn, Hoàng Sa (Paracel Islandsmarker), 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 as Vietnamese 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 Dynastymarker, France represented Vietnam in international affairs and exercised sovereignty over the islands.

The Cairo Declaration, drafted by the Allies and China towards the end of World War II, listed the territories that the Allies intended to strip from Japan and return to China. Despite China being among the draftees of the declaration, this list did not include the Spratlys. Vietnam's response to China's claim that the Cairo Declaration somehow recognised the latter's sovereignty over the Spratlys is that this claim has no basis in fact.

At the San Francisco Conference on the peace treaty with Japan, the Soviet Union proposed that the Paracels and Spratlys belonged to China. This proposal was rejected by an overwhelming majority of the delegates. On July 7, 1951, Tran Van Huu, head of the Bao Dai Government's delegation to the conference declared that the Paracels and Spratlys were part of Vietnamese territory. This declaration met with no challenge from the 51 representatives at the conference.

The text of the Treaty of San Francisco listed the Spratlys as not part of the list of territories to be returned to China.

After the French left, the Vietnamese government exercised sovereignty over the islands.Vietnam currently occupies 31 islands. They are organized as a district of Khanh Hoa Provincemarker. At the 12th National Assembly Election held early in Trường Sa, the people and soldiers 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 communes (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

A feature is occupied by a country if one of the following is true:
  • Soldiers and/or civilian citizens of a country are present in the feature, either by building structures over the feature to house the citizens (most features are of this type) or by manning a ship anchored over the feature (Philippine-occupied Irving Reef is of this type).
  • Regularly visited by soldiers of a country, not necessarily having soldiers present in it 24 hours. These features must lie near (within ) a feature occupied by the country in the way of the first condition. Presence of structures is not necessary. This is the case of Philippine-occupied Flat Island and Lankiam Cay where soldiers stationed at Nanshan Island and Loaita Island respectively, regularly visit on a daily basis.


The effective visible distance of horizon from a 15 meter (typical large structure) height above sea-level is . This makes features occupied by the second condition to be also labeled as "occupied" since they can be guarded far away. However not all features within the radius can be considered as absolutely occupied. This is especially true for features that lie between and within of two or more features occupied by different countries. (See Virtually Occupied or Controlled table)

Republic of China
Int'l Name Local Names Description Area (ha.)
Itu Aba Islandmarker 太平島 Taiping Dao The largest of the Spratly islands. Located about south-southwest of Philippine-occupied Loiata (Kota) Island and about west of Vietnam-occupied Sand Cay. Covered with shrubs, coconut and mangroves. 600 soldiers stationed, lighthouse, radio and weather stations, concrete landing jetty and two wells at the 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 a fishing port. The now only 1150-meters-long airstrip was completed in January 2008. Pineapple was once cultivated here. Occupied since September 1956, four months after Filipino Tomas Cloma claimed the islands. Part of Tizard Banks. 46
Ligaw
Đảo Ba Bình
Ban Than Reef 中洲礁 Jhongjhou Jiao Lies east of Itu-Aba Island and west of Vietnamese occupied Sand Cay. Small drying reef. Occupied since 1995. Part of Tizard Banks. 0
Bãi Bàn Than
Total 1 island, 1 reef 46


People's Republic of China
Int'l Name Local Names Description Area (ha.)
Cuarteron Reef 华阳礁 Huayang Jiao Coral rocks only. Highest are 1.5 m high, on the north. Occupied since 1988. Part of London Reefs. 0
Calderon
Bãi /Đá Châu Viên
Fiery Cross Reef/ Northwest Investigator Reef 永暑礁 Yongshu Jiao 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, long, with airstrip. "Marine observation station" built in 1988; coconut, fir, and banyan trees planted. Actually 3 reefs. Occupied since 1988. 0
Kagitingan
Đá Chữ Thập
Gaven Reefs 南薰礁 Nanxun Jiao (Northern reef) / Xinan or Duolu Jiao (S. reef) A sand dune, 2 m high. Has fringing reef plus a reef 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
Burgos
Đá Ga Ven
Hughes Reef 东门礁 Dongmen Jiao Lies to the east of Sin Cowe Island. Naturally above water at least at low tide. Occupied since 1988. Part of Union Banks. 0
Johnson South Reef 赤瓜礁 Chigua Jiao Contiguous with Vietnam-occupied Collins Reef which lies away northwest. 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
Mabini
Đá Gạc Ma
Mischief Reef 美济礁 Meiji Jiao Some rocks above water at low tide. Has a lagoon. In February 1995, PRC had built a wooden complex on stilts here, starting its formal occupation of the feature. In 1999, the Philippines protested over this structures claiming that it is a military outpost and it poses danger to Philippine security and national defense, being from Palawan. PRC claims it is a shelter for fishermen. 0
Panganiban
Đá Vành Khăn
Subi Reef 渚碧礁 Zhubi Dao Lies southwest of Philippine-occupied Thitu Island (Pagasa Island). Naturally above water only at low tide. Surrounds a lagoon. PRC has constructed 3-story buildings, wharfs, and a helipad here. 0
Zamora
Đá Su Bi
First Thomas Reef 信义礁 Xinyi Jiao A few rocks are permanently above sea level. Much of the reef is above water at low tide. Encloses a lagoon. 0
Bulig
Bãi Suối Ngà
Whitson Reef 牛轭礁 Niu'e Jiao Some rocks naturally above water at high tide. Part of Union Banks. 0
Đá Ba Đầu
Total 9 reefs 0


Republic of the Philippines
Int'l Name Local Names Description Area (ha.)
Flat Island Patag The fourteenth largest Spratly island. About southwest of Philippine-occupied 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

 費信島
Feixin Dao
Đảo Bình Nguyên
Lankiam Caymarker Panata The fifteenth largest and the smallest Spratly island. Located northeast of Philippine-occupied 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. Part of Loaita Banks. 0.44
杨信沙洲

 楊信沙洲
Yangxin Shazhou
Cồn San Hô Lan Can
Loaita Island Kota The tenth largest Spratly island. Located southeast of Philippine-occupied Pag-asa Island (Thitu Island) and north-northeast of the ROC-occupied Itu Aba 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. Part of Loaita Banks. 6.45
南钥岛

 南鑰島
Nanyue Dao
Đảo Loại Ta
Nanshan Island Lawak The eighth largest Spratly island. Located 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. 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

 馬歡島
Mahuan Dao
Đảo Vĩnh Viễn
Northeast Cay Parola The fifth largest Spratly island. Only north of Vietnamese-occupied Southwest Cay and can be seen before the horizon. Located northwest of Philippine-occupied 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. Satellite photography suggests it may have an airstrip. Occupied since 1968. Part of North Danger Reef. 12.7
北子岛

 北子島
Beizi Dao
Đảo Song Tử Đông
Thitu Islandmarker Pag-asa 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 50 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. Part of Thitu Reefs. 37.2
中业岛

 中業島
Zhongye Dao
Đảo Thị Tứ
West York Islandmarker Likas The third largest Spratly island. This island is located 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

 西月島
Xiyue Dao
Đảo Bến Lạc, Đảo Dừa
Commodore Reef 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

 司令礁
Siling Jiao
Đá Công Đo
Terumbu Laksamana
Irving Reef 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

 火艾礁
　
Huo'ai Jiao
Đảo Cá Nhám
Second Thomas Reef Ayungin A shallow reef. It is close to Chinese-occupied Mischief Reef. It was occupied by the Philippines in 1999, after the 1995 controversial Chinese occupation of Mischief Reef, to put pressure on China not to occupy any features further which lie near the Philippines. 0
仁爱礁

 仁愛礁
　
Ren'ai Jiao
Total 7 islands, 3 reefs 83.89


Socialist Republic of Vietnam
Int'l Name Local Names Description Area (ha.)
Amboyna Cay Datu Kalantiaw The thirteenth largest Spratly island. 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
Đảo An Bang
Pulau Amboyna Kecil
Namyit Islandmarker Binago The twelfth largest Spratly island. 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. Occupied since 1975.Part of Tizard Banks. 5.3
鸿庥岛 Hongxiu Dao
Đảo Nam Yết
Sand Cay Bailan The ninth largest Spratly island. Lies to the east of Taiwan-occupied Itu Aba Island. Covered with trees and bushes. Fringing reef partly above water at low tide. This feature is commonly confused with Sandy Cay. Occupied since 1974. Part of Tizard Banks. 7
敦谦沙洲 Dunqian Shazhou
Đảo /Đá Sơn Ca
Sin Cowe Island Rurok The seventh largest. Has fringing reef which is above water at low tide. Occupied since 1974. Part of Union Banks. 8
景宏岛 Jinghong Dao
Đảo Sinh Tồn
Southwest Caymarker Pugad The sixth largest Spratly island. Only 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 1970s. South Vietnamese forces (Republic of Vietnam) invaded the island in 1975, when Filipino soldiers guarding the island attended the birthday party of their commanding officer based in the nearby Northeast Cay. A confirmed report came out that Vietnamese prostitutes were sent by Vietnamese officials to the birthday party, supposedly a sign of good brotherhood between the forces, but was actually used to lure the Filipino soldiers guarding the island. Filipino forces apparently planned on attacking the island, thus it would have led to a war, but Vietnamese forces were able to erect a huge garrison in the island within few weeks, forcing Filipino officials to abort the plan. Since then, more soldiers were assigned to Parola Island (North East Cay), to avoid it from happening again. This was confirmed by interviews with soldiers involved in an episode of the defunct ABS-CBN's Magandang Gabi Bayan (Good Evening Nation) program. See Policies, activities and history of the Philippines in Spratly Islands#Southwest Cay invasion for more details. Part of North Danger Reef. 12
南子岛 Nanzi Dao
Đảo Song Tử Tây
Spratly Island (proper)/ Storm Island Lagos 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
Đảo Trường Sa
Alison Reef De Jesus Naturally above water only at low tide. Encloses a lagoon. 0
六门礁 Liumen Jiao
Bãi Tốc Tan
Barque Canada Reef/ Lizzie Weber Reef (Barque Canada Reef) Magsaysay Coral. Highest rocks are 4.5 m high, at SW end. Much of reef is above water at high tide. Some sandy patches. long. Its military structures were recently upgraded. Occupied since 1987. 0
(Lizzie Weber Reef) Mascarado
柏礁 Bai Jiao
Bãi Thuyền Chài
Terumbu Perahu
Central London Reef Gitnang Quezon 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
中礁 Zhong Jiao
Đảo Trường Sa Đông
Collins Reef/ Johnson North Reef Roxas Lies southwest of Vietnam-occupied Sin Cowe Island. Connected to Johnson South Reef. A "coral dune" is located at the southeast corner, above the high tide line. Part of Union Banks. 0
鬼喊礁 Guihan Jiao
Đá Cô Lin
Cornwallis South Reef Osmeña Naturally above water only at low tide. Encloses a lagoon. Occupied since 1988. 0
南华礁 Nanhua Jiao
Đá Núi Le
Great Discovery Reef Paredes 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
Đá Lớn
East London Reef Silangang Quezon Rocks up to 1 m high. Encloses a lagoon. Occupied since 1988. Part of London Reefs. 0
东礁 Dong Jiao
Đá Đông
Grierson Reef Julian Felipe A sand cay with fringing reef. Some references tell that there exist a Sin Cowe East Island. This island may be Grierson Reef. It was probably called Sin Cowe East Island because it is located to the east of Sin Cowe Island and that its sand bar is visible during low tides, making it an island. Due to convention that an island must always be visible even at highest tides, Grierson Reef is not considered as an island in this list. Its sand bar area is about 12 hectares. Part of Union Banks. 0
染青沙洲 Ranqing Shazhou
Grainger Bank 李准滩 Lizhun Tan Shallowest natural depth is either 9 m or 11 m. Occupied since 1989. 0
Bãi Quế Đường
Higgens Reef 屈原礁 Quyuan Jiao Lies southeast of Vietnam-occupied Sin Cowe Island. Only above water at low tide. Part of Union Banks. 0
Đá Hi Ghen, Đá Hi Gen
Ladd Reef 日积礁 Riji Jiao Naturally above water at low tide. Has coral lagoon. Occupied since 1988. 0
Đá Lát
Lan(d)sdowne Reef Pagkakaisa Sand dune, with fringing reef. Part of Union Banks. 0
琼礁 Qiong Jiao
Đá Len Đao
Pearson Reef Hizon 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
Đảo Phan Vinh
Petley Reef Juan Luna Naturally above water only at low tide, some small rocks might stand above high water. Occupied since 1988. Part of Tizard Banks. 0
舶兰礁 Bolan Jiao
Đá Núi Thị
Pigeon Reef/ Tennent Reef Lopez-Jaena Numerous rocks are naturally above the high tide line. Encloses a lagoon. Occupied since 1988. 0
无乜礁 Wumie Jiao
Đá Tiên Nữ
Prince Consort Bank 西卫滩 Xiwei Tan Shallowest natural depth is 9 m. Occupied since 1989. 0
Bãi Phúc Nguyên
Rifleman Bank (containing Bombay Castle) 南薇滩 Nanwei Tan Shallowest natural depth is 3 m, called Bombay Castle. Sand and coral. Occupied since 1989. 0
Bãi Vũng Mây
South Reef Timog Lies about southwest of Vietnam-occupied Soutwest Cay. 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
奈罗礁 Nailuo Jiao
Đá Nam
Vanguard Bank 万安滩 Wan'an Tan 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
West London Reef Kanlurang Quezon 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
西礁 Xi Jiao
Đá Tây
Total 6 islands, 17 reefs, 3 banks 46.9


Malaysia
Int'l Name Local Names Description Area (ha.)
Swallow Reef/ Islandmarker Celerio The eleventh largest Spratly island. 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. Present land mass is reclaimed, making it the first artificial island in Spratly. Occupied since 1983. 6.2
Đá Hoa Lau
弹丸礁 Danwan Jiao
Terumbu Layang Layang
Ardasier Reef Antonio Luna Naturally above water only at low tide. Encloses a lagoon. Has a few sandy patches. Several soldiers stationed. Occupied since 1986. 0
安渡滩 Andu Tan
Bãi Kiêu Ngựa
Terumbu Ubi
Dallas Reef Rajah Matanda Naturally above water only at low tide. Encloses a lagoon. Several soldiers stationed. Malaysia is also using this reef for tourism. 0
光星礁 Guangxing Jiao
Terumbu Laya
Erica Reef/ Enloa Reef Gabriela Silang Above water only at low tide. Some isolated rocks on the eastern edge stand above high water. 0
簸箕礁 Boji Jiao
Terumbu Siput
Investigator Shoal Pawikan Above water only at low tide. Some large rocks at the western end are visible at high water. Encloses a lagoon. 0
榆亚暗沙 Yuya Ansha
Bãi Thám Hiểm
Terumbu Peninjau
Louisa Reef 南通礁 Nantong Jiao Rocks 1 m high. Malaysia operates a lighthouse here. 0
Terumbu Semarang/ Barat Kecil
Mariveles Reef Mariveles 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
Bãi /Đá Kỳ Vân
Terumbu Mantanani
Total 1 artificial island, 5 reefs, 1 shoal 6.2


Virtually occupied or controlled

An unoccupied feature that lies within radius of an occupied feature, provided that it does not lie between the occupied feature and another occupied feature controlled by a different country and is not within of the feature occupied by the other country, can be considered as virtually occupied. is the effective horizon distance that can be seen from a 15 meter high structure. The nearer the feature, the better.

While virtually occupied features are not actual occupied features (e.g., no structures built and no soldiers are stationed or regularly visits), they are on the other hand largely controlled. If a naval vessel of another country was seen within the effective horizon of a feature and in an inconvenient direction, it can be taken as a military assault. Thus, the forces occupying the feature may attack the vessel. Claimant countries currently cannot upgrade the status of these virtually occupied features to absolutely occupied because other countries may view this as an expansion motive which clearly violates the Code of Conduct signed in 2002. Also, making the virtually occupied to absolutely occupied requires building of structures which will serve as barracks of new soldiers who will guard it. Building of structures in unoccupied (including virtually occupied) features is prohibited by the Code of Conduct.

Note that most virtually occupied features are by the Philippines. Vietnam in the past, prior to signing of the Code of Conduct, have acquired many features as much as it can. As of now, it has a total of 26 occupied features. Whenever it occupied a feature in the past, it immediately occupies features which are near to it. Example of this is South Reef which Vietnam immediately occupied after it successfully invaded Southwest Cay. Thus, no feature has been virtually controlled by Vietnam since it always occupy features which it can see within its horizon. Also, Vietnam's occupied features in Tizard and Union Banks are near other countries' occupied features. Hence, many unoccupied features near to Vietnam's occupied features in these banks also lie near other countries' occupied features. As for Malaysia, it only occupied reefs at the southern tip of the Spratly chain where features are dispersed. No other features can be found within the horizon of Malaysian-occupied features.

Virtually Occupied and Controlled
Virtually Occupied by the Philippines
Int'l Name Local Names Description Area (ha.)
Loaita Cay Melchora Aquino Lies south-northeast of Philippine-occupied Loaita Island. Actually, it is between two Philippine-occupied islands, the other being Lankiam Cay, but is nearer to Loita Island. A sand cay, with fringing reef naturally above water at high tide. This feature is commonly confused with Lankiam Cay. Not to be confused with Loaita Island. Part of Loiata Banks. ??
南钥沙洲 Nanyao Shazhou
Bãi Loại Ta
Loaita Nan/ Loaita Southwest Reef Magbanua Lies northwest of Philippine-occupied Loaita Island. Nearest feature occupied by other country is Subi Reef, occupied by China, lies northwest. Never above water. Part of Loaita Banks. 0
双黄沙洲 Shuanghuang Shazhou
Bãi Loại Ta Nam
North Reef Hilaga Lies northest of Philippine-occupied Northest Cay (Parola Island). Nearest feature occupied by other country is Southwest Cay, occupied by Vietnam, lies southwest. Because it is Northeast Cay which lies between Southwest Cay and North Reef, North Reef became virtually occupied by the Philippines. At NE end of North Danger Reef. Naturally above water only at low tide. The Philippines once considered building a long airstrip over this feature to ease transportation to Northeast Cay. Northeast Cay is only 12.7 hectares and it doesn't have a large coral base. This is unlike Pagasa Island (Thitu Island) were a long airstrip had been constructed adjacent to the island by reclaiming portions of Pagasa's large coral base. Hence, the Philippines cannot build a long airstrip in Northeast Cay, forcing them to consider building it in North Reef. However, though virtually occupied, they cannot build such airstrip in North Reef because the Code of Conduct prohibits it. Part of North Danger Reef. 0
贡士礁 Gongshi Jiao
Sandy Cay/ Extension Reef 铁线礁 Tiexian Jiao Lies west of Philippine-occupied Thitu Island. Nearest feature occupied by other country is Subi Reef, occupied by China, lies southwest. A low sand cay; fringing reef above water at high tide. ??
Virtually Occupied by China
Int'l Name Local Names Description Area (ha.)
Kennan Reef 西门礁 Ximen Jiao (Kennan) Lies just west of PRC-occupied Hughes Reef. Nearest features occupied by other country is Vietnam-occupied Sin Cowe Island and Higgens Reef, both lies about west and southwest respectively. Because China is very near compared to Vietnam, Kennan Reef became virtually occupied by China. It actually causes many references to be confused on which feature between Hughes and Kennan is actually occupied by China. Naturally above water at least at low tide. 0
Đá Ken Nan


Unoccupied features

Unoccupied but Largely Controlled by the Philippines
The reefs, shoals, etc. to the east of the 116°E meridian are closely guarded by the Philippine Navy and Air Force. Though not occupied, the Philippines undeniably has control over these features which are less from the Palawanmarker west coast (note: Scarborough Shoal is from Zambalesmarker west coast). 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 press in the Philippines have reported many arrests of Chinesemarker fishermen by the Philippine Navy because of illegal fishing methods and catching of endangered sea species, both in this region and in the Sulu Seamarker. Philippine military presence in this region intensified after the 1995 Mischief Reef incident. The Philippine Air Force has been active in striking even the markers set up by other countries to guide the latter's naval forces in this region.
Int'l Name Local Names Description Area (ha.)
Amy Douglas Reef or Baker Mahiwagang Diwata Lies north of Palawan Passage. Awash at low tide. 0
安塘滩 Antang Tan, 安塘礁 Antang Jiao
Bombay Shoal Abad Santos Several rocks are exposed at low tide. Surrounds a lagoon. 0
蓬勃暗沙 Pengbo Ansha
Boxall Reef Rajah Sulayman Above water only at low tide. 0
牛车轮礁 Niuchelun Jiao
Carnadic Shoal 红石暗沙 Hongshi Ansha 0
Director Shoal/Reef Tamban 0
指向礁 Zhixiang Jiao
Ganges Reef Palma 0
恒礁 Heng Jiao
Glasgow Bank Aguinaldo Some sources say this area is occupied by the Philippines due to its proximity to the Commodore Reef. 0
双礁 Shuang Jiao
Half Moon Shoal Hasa-hasa Several rocks on the eastern side rise one to two feet above high tide. Encloses a lagoon. 0
半月礁 Banyue Jiao
Bãi Trăng Khuyết
Hardy Reef Sakay Naturally above water only at low tide. Surrounds a narrow strip of sand. 0
半路礁 Banlu Jiao
Hopkins Reef 火星礁 Huoxing Jiao 0
Investigator Northeast Shoal Dalagang Bukid Lies only a few miles west of Palawan. Naturally above water at low tide. 0
海口礁 Haikou Jiao
Iroquois Reef Del Pilar Lies east of both Philippine-occupied Nanshan Island and Flat Island. Above water only at low tide. 0
鲎藤礁 Houteng Jiao
Leslie Bank Urduja 0
勇士滩 Yongshi Tan
Lord Auckland Shoal Lapu-Lapu 0
莪兰暗沙 Elan Ansha
Lys Shoal Bisugo 0
乐斯暗沙 Lesi Ansha
NE Shea Ponce Lies only a few miles north of Commodore Reef. Above water only at low tide. 0
Pennsylvania North Reef 阳明礁 Yangming Jiao 0
Pennsylvania South Reef 孔明礁 Kongming Jiao 0
Reed Tablemount (including Nares Bank and Marie LouiseBank) Recto Shallowest natural depth is 9 m. About in area. The 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 from the Philippines is part of China's territories. After that, the Philippines tried asking China for a joint effort but China declined arguing that the Philippines has no right in this feature. Presently, this feature is largely controlled by the Philippines. 0
礼乐滩 Liyue Tan
Bãi Cỏ Rồng
Royal Captain Shoal Kanduli A few rocks are above water at low tide. Surrounds a lagoon. 0
舰长礁 Jianzhang Jiao
Sabina Shoal Escoda It encloses two lagoons, naturally above water at low tide. Lies east of the Philippine-occupied Second Thomas Reef. 0
仙宾礁 Xianbin Jiao
Sandy Shoal Mabuhangin 0
神仙暗沙 Shenxian Ansha
Seahorse Shoal or Seashore Shoal Baybayin Dagat Lies north of Palawan Passage 0
海马滩 Haima Tan
Stag Shoal Panday Pira 0
隐遁暗沙 Yindun Ansha
Southern Bank/Reef Katimugan A group of features located south of Reed Tablemount. The reef includes: Magat Salamat, Tagpi, Hubo Reef, and Katimugan Banks/Reef. The area is largely controlled and used for fishing by the Philippines due to its proximity to Flat Island and Nanshan Island. 0
南方浅滩 Nanfang Qiantan
Templar Bank Dalag 0
忠孝滩 Zhongxiao Tan
Trident Shoal Tatlong-tulis 0
永登暗沙 Yongdeng Ansha
Viper North Shoal Maya-maya 0
都护暗沙 Duhu Ansha
Viper Shoal Tomas Claudio 0
保卫暗沙 Baowei Ansha,


Not Occupied by any Country
These are the unoccupied features. Some sources say that some of these features are occupied by Vietnam or China but most sources, including the latest, say that they are not occupied. Occupation are probably confused because the said reefs are very close to occupied features. There are many unoccupied features in the Spratly chain. The current Code of Conduct prohibits any country from acquiring new features. Many of these features are actually in between and near two or more occupied features of different countries. Thus, they serve like buffer zones. Example of this is Jones Reef which lies almost exactly between PRC-occupied Hughes Reef and Vietnamese-occupied Higgens Reef.
Int'l Name Local Names Description Area (ha.)
Alicia Annie Reef Arellano A sand "cay", 1.2 m high. Many rocks above high tide line. 0
仙娥礁 Xian'e Jiao
Đá Suối Ngọc
Coronation Bank 0
Discovery Small Reef Gomez Above water only at low tide. 0
小现礁 Xiaoxian Jiao
Đá Nhỏ
Duvalle Shoal 0
Edmund Reef 南门礁 Nanmen Jiao Lies east of Vietnam-occupied Sin Cowe Island and west of Kennan Reef. Part of Union Banks. 0
Eldad Reef Malvar Only a few large rocks are naturally above water at high tide. Part of Tizard Banks. 0
安达礁 Anda Jiao
Burgai
Hallet Reef 安乐礁 Anle Jiao Lies to the northeast of Hughes Reef. Part of Union Banks. 0
Holiday Reef 长线礁 Changxian Jiao Above water only at low tide. Part of Union Banks. 0
Hopps Reef Diego Silang Above water only at low tide. Part of Southampton Reefs. 0
禄沙礁 Lusha Jiao
Đá Hop
Jackson Atoll Quirino Four or five portions are above water at low tide. Encloses a lagoon. 0
五方礁 Wufang Jiao
Jones Reef 漳溪礁 Zhangxi Jiao Lies south of Kennan Reef. Small reef, partly above water only at low tide. Part of Union Banks. 0
Len Dao Reef Visible in some maps. Part of Union Reefs. 0
Livock Reef (NE part) Jacinto Above water only at low tide. Some rocks still visible at high tide. Part of Southampton Reefs. 0
(SW part) Bonifacio
三角礁 Sanjiao Jiao
Menzies Reef Rajah Lakandula Awash at low tide. Part of Loaita Bank. 0
蒙自礁 Mengzi Jiao
Đá Men Di
Owen Shoal 奥援暗沙 Aoyuan Ansha Shallowest natural depth is 6 m. 0
Prince of Wales Bank 广雅滩 Guangya Tan Shallowest natural depth is 7 m. Has corals. 0
Bãi Phúc Tần
Thitu Reef 铁峙礁 Tiezhi Jiao Above water only at low tide. Located northeast of Thitu Island and unnamed on most maps. Part of Thitu Reefs 0


Claimed features by country but occupied by other country

Claimed features by country but occupied by other country
Only the PRC, the ROC and Vietnam claim all of the Spratly Island Chain, including some features that are just 50 km from other countries like the Philippines and Malaysia. However, the Philippines, Malaysia and Brunei all have partial claims only. Here are the islands claimed but are not occupied by these three countries (flags refer to the country currently occupying the feature):
Philippines: Itu Aba Island , Amboyna Cay , Namyit Island , Sand Cay , Sin Cowe Island , Sin Cowe East Island , Southwest Cay , Spratly Island Proper , Pigeon Reef , South Reef , Ardasier Reef , Erica Reef , Investigator Shoal , Mariveles Reef , Swallow Reef/Island , Mischief Reef , Subi Reef and all of features to the east of the 116°E meridian (unoccupied) (see Unoccupied but Largely Controlled by the Philippines subtable).
Malaysia: Amboyna Cay , Barque Canada Reef , Commodore Reef and Royal Charlotte Reef (unoccupied)
Brunei: Rifleman Bank , Louisa Reef and Owen Shoal (uncertain)


20th century timeline

1900 - Vietnam's Nguyen dynasty continued to assert that the state Bac Hai Company had exercise Vietnam's sovereignty in the Spratlys since the 18th century.
1927 The Frenchmarker 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 Chinamarker sent the French government a memorandum contesting their sovereignty over the Paracels, stating that the Paracels were the extreme south of Chinese territories, 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 to the great powers including the UK, US, China and Japan, according to the principles found in the Berlin convention. France administered the area as part of Cochinchina. Japanese companies applied to the French authority in Cochichina for phosphate mining licence in the Spratlys.
1939 The Empire of Japanmarker disputed French sovereignty over the islands, citing that Japan was the first country to discover the islands.Japan declared its intention to place the island group under its jurisdiction. France and the United Kingdommarker 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 Taiwanmarker. A submarine base was established on Itu Abamarker.
1945 After Japan's surrender at the end of World War II, the Republic of China claimed the Spratly Islands. The Republic of China sent troops to Itu Abamarker, 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, the Soviet Union proposed that the Spratlys belonged to China. This was overhelmingly rejected by the delegates. The delegates from Vietnam, which at that time was a French protectorate, declared sovereignty over the Paracel and the Spratly Islands, which was not opposed by any delegate at the conference.
1956 Tomas Cloma, director of the Maritime Institute of the Philippinesmarker, 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 Netherlandsmarker all issued protests. The Republic of China and South Vietnam launched naval units to the islands, though South Vietnam left no permanent garrison. 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 the decision on the 12 nautical mile limit of territorial waters. Both the South Vietnamese government and the communist revolutionary movement in South Vietnam continued to assert that the Spratlys belonged to Vietnam.
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 Malaysiamarker issued claims to some of the Spratly Islands.
1972 The Philippines incorporated the Kalayaan islands into its Palawanmarker province.
1975 The unified Vietnammarker declared claims over the Spratly Islands.
1978 A presidential decree from the Philippinesmarker 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 marker, one of the Spratly Islands. A naval base and resort was later built at this location.
1984 Bruneimarker established an exclusive fishing zone encompassing the Louisa Reef and neighboring areas in the southeastern Spratly Islands.
1987 The People's Republic of China conducted naval patrols in the Spratly Islands and established a permanent base.
1988 PRCmarker warships and Vietnamese transport ships had a minor clash over Johnson Reef. PRC forces prevailed and the PRC won control over some Spratly reefs for the first time in the dispute.
1995 The Philippine government revealed Chinese military structure being built at the Mischief Reefs. Philippine President Fidel Ramos ordered increased patrol of the Philippine-controlled areas, the incident leads to numerous arrests of Chinese fishermen and naval clashes with Chinese pirate vessels.
2008 Taiwan's President became the first head of state from the claimant countries to visit Spratly islands. His visit sparks criticism from other claimants.
2009 The Office of the Philippine President enacted the "Philippine Baselines Law of 2009" (RA 9522). The new law classifies the Kalayaan Island Group and the Scarborough Shoal as a "regime of islands under the Republic of the Philippines." This means that the Philippines continues to lay claim over the disputed islands.
2009 Two submissions to the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf were made on May. A joint submission by Malaysiamarker and Vietnammarker claims jurisdiction over their respective continental shelves out to 200 nautical miles. A lone submission by Vietnam claims jurisdiction over an extended shelf area. The People's Republic of Chinamarker and the Philippinesmarker both protested the moves stating that they violated agreements made with regards to the islands.


See also: Spratly Islands History Timeline at spratleys.org.


References and notes

  1. Borneo Post: When All Else Fails Additionally, pages 48 and 51 of "The Brunei-Malaysia Dispute over Territorial and Maritime Claims in International Law" by R. Haller-Trost, Clive Schofield, and Martin Pratt, published by the International Boundaries Research Unit, University of Durham, UK, points out that this is, in fact, a "territorial dispute" between Brunei and other claimants over the ownership of one above-water feature (Louisa Reef)
  2. MARA C. HURWITT, U.S. STRATEGY IN SOUTHEAST ASIA: THE SPRATLY ISLANDS DISPUTE (Masters Thesis), Defense Technical Information center.
  3. A Chinese Outpost.
  4. World Wild Life: Terrestrial Ecoregions -- South China Sea Islands, World Lildlife Fund.
  5. .
  6. Image: General Map of Distances and Historic Capitals, Wikimedia Commons.
  7. , ISBN 9041110569 ISBN 9789041110565.
  8. Historical Evidence To Support China's Sovereignty over Nansha Islands
  9. 《元史》地理志;《元代疆域图叙》
  10. 《海南卫指挥佥事柴公墓志铬》
  11. 《清直省分图》天下总舆图
  12. 皇清各直省分图》之《天下总舆图
  13. 《大清万年一统天下全图》
  14. 《大清万年一统地量全图》
  15. 《大清一统天下全图》
  16. Alleged Early Map of the Spratly Islands near the Vietnamese Coast
  17. King C. Chen, China's War with Vietnam (1979) pp. 43-44.
  18. MARITIME BRIEFING, Volume I, Number 6: A Geographical Description of the Spratly Island and an Account of Hydrographic Surveys Amongst Those Islands, 1995 by David Hancox and Victor Prescott. Pages 14–15
  19. Map of Asia 1892, University of Texas
  20. Paracel Islands, worldstatesmen.org
  21. Spratly Islands, Microsoft Encarta Online Encyclopedia 2008. All Rights Reserved.
  22. Todd C. Kelly, Vietnamese Claims to the Truong Sa Archipelago, Explorations in Southeast Asian Studies, Vol.3, Fall 1999.
  23. Spratly Islands, MSN encarta.
  24. Kivimäki, Timo (2002), War Or Peace in the South China Sea?, Nordic Institute of Asian Studies (NIAS), ISBN 8791114012
  25. PRC's declaration over the islands in 1958 Xinhua archives
  26. Admiral Tomas Cloma, father of maritime education and discoverer of freedomland/Kalayaan Islands. by Jose Veloso Abueva. Published in 1999, Center for Leadership, Citizenship and Democracy, National College of Public Administration and Governance, University of the Philippines (Diliman, Quezon City)
  27. Territorial Disputes and Resource Management. By Rongxing Guo. Page 229.
  28. See the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf's website
  29. Online version available from the ASEAN website.
  30. Territorial claims in the Spratly and Paracel Islands, globalsecurity.org
  31. United Nations Law of the Sea
  32. Case of the Spratly Island Dispute
  33. Malaysian Claims in the Spratlys (Spratly Islands)
  34. "Jurisprudential Evidence To Support China's Sovereignty over the Nansha Islands"; "Historical Evidence To Support China's Sovereignty over Nansha Islands"; "International Recognition Of China's Sovereignty over the Nansha Islands", Foreign Ministry of the People's Republic of China
  35. 異物志云：『人魚似人形，長尺餘 According to the Records of Rarities, "Mermaids have humanoid form but are 1/3 of a meter longer..."
  36. Chronological lists of ratifications of, accessions and successions to the Convention and the related Agreements as at 16 March 2009, United Nations Division for ocean Affairs and the law of the Sea.
  37. The Sino-Vietnamese difference on the Hoang Sa and Truong Sa archipellagoes, Luu Van Loi, 1996, The Gioi publisher
  38. Ling Wai Dai Da (Information on Things Beyond the Passes) by Zhou Choufei
  39. Zhu Fan Zhi (Notes on Foreign Countries) by Zhao Juguo
  40. [1]
  41. Google Earth at 10°22’40.72” N and 114°21’59.17”.
  42. Taiwan News.
  43. Google Earth 11°27'12.79"N 114°21'21.61"E
  44. No comprehensive list of Philippine-occupied Spratly islands is easily available. A web search can confirm that Ayungin Reef is occupied by the Philippines
  45. Erica Reef and Investigator shoal were occupied by Malaysia in 1999. However, no comprehensive updated list of islands occupied by Malaysia is easily available. A web search can confirm the occupation of these two features
  46. Philippine Baselines Law of 2009 signed, GMA News, March 11, 2009.
  47. Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf (CLCS) Outer limits of the continental shelf beyond 200 nautical miles from the baselines: Submissions to the Commission: Joint submission by Malaysia and the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam. United Nations Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf. 28 May 2009. Retrieved 18 September 2009.
  48. Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf (CLCS) Outer limits of the continental shelf beyond 200 nautical miles from the baselines: Submissions to the Commission: Submission by the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam. United Nations Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf. 28 May 2009. Retrieved 18 September 2009.


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