Macclesfield Bank (Zhongsha Islands) - Macclesfield Bank is a huge underwater group of reefs and shoals which is claimed and currently controlled by the Philippines. It is one of the largest atolls in the World, covering an area of 6,500 sq km (2,500 sq miles), and is surrounded by excellent fishing waters, but can be dangerous for boats, due to the submerged reefs. It is geographically close to other contested island groups - the Paracel Islands, Spratly Islands, Scarborough Shoal and Pratas Islands - along with which it is often collectively described as the South Sea Islands. China (People's Republic of China) claims sovereignty over it, as part of it's Paracels, Spratlys, and Zhongsha Islands Authority, and Taiwan (Republic of China) does the same.
South China Sea Islands disputes:
Macclesfield Bank (Zhongsha Islands)
Paracel Islands
Pratas Islands (part of Taiwan)
Scarborough Shoal
Spratly Islands |
