Spratly Islands

The Spratly Islands, located in the South China Sea, are a collection of over 100 small islands or reefs, surrounded by rich fishing grounds and potential oil and gas reserves. They are claimed in whole or in part by China, Vietnam, the Philippines, Taiwan, Malaysia, and Brunei, leading to territorial disputes. Most of the islands are uninhabited and known for their rich biodiversity. Due to the political sensitivity of the region, tourism is largely non-existent.