Asia’s disputed waters: Who claims what?
From the East China Sea to the South China Sea, tensions have long simmered between rival countries staking claims to these strategically located and resource-filled waters. CNN looks at the main flashpoints.
1 Diaoyu/Senkaku Islands
2 Paracel Islands
3 Spratly Islands
Boundary of area claimed by China
Boundary of area claimed by Vietnam
Boundary of area claimed by Philippines1
Diaoyu/Senkaku Islands
China and Japan have faced off over these rocky islands known as Diaoyu in Chinese and the Senkaku in Japanese. Taiwan also claims sovereignty.
2
Paracel Islands
China controls the Paracel islands; they are also claimed by Vietnam. They're located close to proved and probable oil reserves.
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Boats and brinksmanship up close in the South China Sea3
Spratly Islands
The Spratly Islands are claimed by Philippines, China, Vietnam, Taiwan and Malaysia and all five parties have airfields. China has built artificial islands on seven reefs located near the islands
Sources: CNN, Center for Strategic & International Studies