WHO IS MILITARIZING THE SOUTH CHINA SEA?

The South China Sea disputes are complex and confusing. Here are the key questions answered.

1 Who claims what and how valid are the claims?

China and Taiwan claim sovereignty over all of the Spratly features (rocks sometimes called ‘islands’) based on history, discovery, usage, administration and – for some – effective control. Vietnam, the Philippines and Malaysia also claim and occupy some of them. All these claims have serious weaknesses in modern international law, which requires continuous, effective administration and control, and acquiescence by other claimants. China’s sovereignty claims are just as valid or invalid as those of the other claimants.