There is a lot of atols and islands between China, Vietnam, Philiphines, and Taiwan (all of them claim some part). They vary in size. China seized in 1974 from the South Vietnamese some of them (never returned, even after Vietname reunified). The issue is the maritime boundaries and who the natural resources surrounding these islands belong too. After 1975 and the end of the Vietnam war, and later with the US leaving naval bases in the Philiphines, the Chinese have been more forceful in this area pushing their claim.

US secretary of Clinton mentioned the issue at a news conference at the ASEAN regional forum. It's an issue I am sure the Chinese government would rather not discuss.

U.S. Challenges China on Island Chain - NY Times.

Labels: china, china's future