What is Spratly island rich in?

The islands are largely uninhabited, but offer rich fishing grounds and may contain significant oil and natural gas reserves, and as such are important to the claimants in their attempts to establish international boundaries.

What is the basis of Philippines in claiming Spratly Islands?

Historical/Legal Basis of Claims The Philippines claims the Kalayaan Island Group on the assumption that after Japan renounced its title to the islands in the San Francisco Treaty of Peace of 1951, they reverted to being terra nullius because title was not explicitly passed to another state.

Who lives on the Spratly Islands?

Another, called Spratly Island or Storm Island, measures 900 by 1,500 feet (275 by 450 metres). Turtles and seabirds are the only wildlife. There is no permanent human habitation.

Who lives in Spratly Islands?

Who built Spratly Islands?

During the early 1960s, the Republic of Vietnam Navy stopped off at the island several times. In 1963, three ships (HQ-404 Huong Giang, HQ-01 Chi Lang and HQ-09 Ki Hoa) visited and systematically rebuilt steles on a number of islands in the archipelago. On May 19, 1963, they built one on Spratly Island.

Who lives in Spratly islands?

Why are the Spratly islands so important?

The Spratly area holds potentially significant, but largely unexplored, reserves of oil and natural gas, it is a productive area for world fishing, it is one of the busiest areas of commercial shipping traffic, and surrounding countries would get an extended continental shelf if their claims were recognized.

How many features does Vietnam occupy in the Spratly Islands?

The information obtained has also been carefully checked. Vietnam currently occupies 21 features in the Spratly Islands, with the latest taken a few days after a bloody clash on March 14, 1988 with China at Johnson South Reef.

What are the characteristics of Spratly Islands?

The largest of the Spratly islands, located about 22 miles (35 km) south-southwest of Philippine-occupied Loaita (Kota) Island and about 6 miles (10 km) west of Vietnam-occupied Sand Cay. Covered with shrubs, coconut, mangroves, guano deposits and fringing reef. Pineapple was once cultivated here.

Does the Philippines have claims on the Spratly Islands?

Claimed features by the Philippines but occupied by another country. 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. The Philippines have claims on parts of the area.

When did China take over the Spratly Islands?

Between 1946 and 1947, China began the process of establishing itself in the Spratly Islands, Woody Island, and the Paracel Islands, while the French and Vietnamese established themselves on Pattle Island. During China’s civil war, the islands then occupied by China were again vacated.