Why is the Spratlys Island or Freedom Islands being contested by different countries?

Question

Why are the Spratlys being contested? What are the bases used by each country to support their claim on the Spratlys? What have been the actions of each country in their pursuit of the Spratlys? Please include your own personal opinion.

--- my assignment... I have a hard time finding it...

Answer 1

The Spratlys have become enormously interesting in the last few years because there might be oil there. At present

claims to it are held by China, Vietnam, Malaysia and the Philippines.

Some years ago the Chinese put some structures there for fishermen to shelter. These were later removed after the Philippines protested and sent a navy destroyer there.

There is also a strategic reason to have control of it.

These islands are in the Southern part of the South China Sea and are physically closer to Malaysia and the Philippines than China.

There is also a claim by the Vatican who had missionaries pass through the islands in the 18th.century when they were uninhabited and apparently unknown to those who today claim ownership.

I believe the issue can be resolved easily by working out which country is the closest to it, which I believe is Malaysia.

Answer 2

I think you might find oil in the equation..