South China Sea disputed claims

Rival claims

China

Taiwan

Philippines

Vietnam

Malaysia

Brunei

THAILAND

CAMBODIA

MALAYSIA

400km 250 miles

CHINA

VIETNAM

Paracel Islands

SOUTH CHINA SEA

Spratly Islands

MALAYSIA

INDONESIA

BRUNEI

TAIWAN

PACIFIC OCEAN

Scarborough Shoal

PHILIPPINES

CHINA: Says territorial claim  – defined by “nine-dash line” detailed on 1947 map – dates back to ancient times. Claims are mirrored by Taiwan.
China’s policy of island-building and construction of military installations and airstrips has strained geopolitical tensions

VIETNAM: Says documents prove it has actively ruled over both Paracels and Spratlys since 17th century, and that China never claimed islands before 1940s

PHILIPPINES: Bases claim to Spratlys on geographical proximity to islands. Manila has taken China to UN tribunal to challenge Beijing’s claim to waters within nine-dash line, including Scarborough Shoal – which China seized in 2012

MALAYSIA, BRUNEI: Both lay claim to territory that falls within their economic exclusion zones, as defined by UN Convention on Law of the Sea (UNCLOS)

U.S.: Says it opposes restrictions on freedom of navigation and unlawful sovereignty claims – seen by many as aimed at China

Sources: Stratfor, wire agencies