Proper noun
Spratly Islands
A group of islands, atolls, reefs, and cays in the South China Sea.
Apart from China, the Spratly Islands and Paracel Islands, which are among the more frequently disputed territories in the South China, are also claimed by the Philippines, Vietnam, Brunei, Malaysia, and Taiwan. Source: Internet
China's assertion of control over the Spratly Islands and the entire South China Sea has elicited concern from Vietnam and its Southeast Asia neighbors. Source: Internet
Malaysia's claim over a portion of the Spratly Islands is also based on sharing a continental shelf with Sabah. citation The Philippines has a territorial claim over much of the eastern part of Sabah. Source: Internet
Before the early 19th century, the present-day Spratly Islands were treated as features of Hoàng Sa. Source: Internet
In 1988, more than 70 Vietnamese troops were killed during a confrontation with Chinese forces, when China occupied several islands under Vietnamese control in the Spratly Islands. Source: Internet
Southeast and west of them, there also exist thick accumulations of sediments that possibly might contain economic oil and gas reserves lie closer to the Spratly Islands. Source: Internet