♤ These island chains are claimed by a number of countries in the region including China, Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia and Brunei.

♤ China through its unilateral 9 dash lines, declared in 1947, claims nearly the entire south China Sea.

♤ The islands lie among the world's busiest shipping lanes and have vast mineral resources around them, making them highly strategic assets.

♤ In addition, China has recently engaged in, amongst other things, the physical enhancement of many of the small features of the Spratly Islands and enforcement of a moratorium on fishing in the South China Sea.