Why in the news?
- The Spratly Islands witness conflict between vessels of China and Philippines.
Spratly Islands
- Location:
- South China Sea
- Between Vietnam, Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei, and China.
- Composition:
- Around 100+ small islands, reefs, atolls, and shoals.
- Many are submerged at high tide; few are habitable.
- Claimants: China, Vietnam, Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei, and Taiwan (all have overlapping claims).
