The South China Sea Disputes: Who Owns the Islands and the Natural Resources?
Publisher: Ocean Development & International Law
Author(s): Choon‐ho Park
Date: 1978
Topics: Extractive Resources, Land
Countries: China
Among the numerous border and territorial disputes between China and its neighbors, the Paracel‐Spratly case is the most serious to date. Primarily, the dispute concerns the ownership of some 200 midocean islets in the South China Sea, most of which are coral outcroppings without much value in themselves. But the issue is complicated by the expectation that the owner(s) will, be entitled to whatever natural resources may be developed from the offshore waters of the islets.