Spratlys: The Dispute In The South China Sea

Southeast Asia is a region where territorial disputes between states are common. One of the most keenly disputed areas are the Spratly islands in the South China Sea. There are five major claimants to the various islands in the Spratlys - China, Vietnam, Taiwan, the Philippines, and Malaysia, the Sultan of Brunei also has a minor claim. These states all have different territorial possessions in the area, but even those islands that they occupy and control are often subject to dispute and contest.