Beijing Òhits backÓ over South China Sea

China has warned Washington that it will not back down over its claims in the disputed South China Sea, after the Trump administration pledged to defend U.S. and international interests in the region

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Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ): Each country has economic rights within 200 nautical miles of its coastline, according to UNCLOS*

CHINA

TAIWAN

Paracel Islands

Macclesfield Bank

ÒNine-dash lineÓ marks limit of Chinese claim

CAMBODIA

SOUTH CHINA SEA

Scarborough Shoal

PACIFIC OCEAN

VIETNAM

Spratly Islands

PHILIPPINES

MALAYSIA

MALAYSIA

BRUNEI

INDONESIA

Chinese control

400km 250 miles

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Paracel Islands: Occupied by China, also claimed by Taiwan and Vietnam. Sansha city established on Woody Island in 2012 as permanent base for administering ChinaÕs claims


Scarborough Shoal: China facilities to back up its claims gained control over partly submerged chain of reefs in 2012. Also claimed by Philippines and Taiwan

Spratly Islands: Claimed in whole or part by China, Taiwan, Vietnam, Malaysia, Philippines and Brunei. Several islands occupied by claimant countries. China occupies eight islands and is building military facilities to back up its claims

Macclesfield Bank: Sunken atoll claimed by China and Taiwan

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Source: Wire agencies

*United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea

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