These islands, and others in the South China Sea, are claimed by China, Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia and Brunei. The last four of these are members of ASEAN.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-18765094

China's claim is nonsense and has no more legitimacy than did old style western colonialism. Might is still 'right' it would appear, especially if there are significant oil reserves in the disputed waters. In one respect you can't blame China given the example it has been set.

There are both oil and gas there, "experts" say. Although there is no permanent settlement on any of the islands, the ownership of the Spratly's and the Paracels is far more significant than the Falklands, as they straddle the sea route north to Japan... through which all the Middle Eastern oil tankers pass.

I looked it up in Wiki, and the situation makes the Falklands look like child's play. China has the muscle, Vietnam and the Philippines probably have the right, Brunei is negligible, and Malaysia would be my choice (OK, for completely non-political reasons, just because I have a fondness for the country).

Let's give them to Argentina. Maybe that will buy some time for the Falklands.

I looked it up in Wiki, and the situation makes the Falklands look like child's play. China has the muscle, Vietnam and the Philippines probably have the right, Brunei is negligible, and Malaysia would be my choice (OK, for completely non-political reasons, just because I have a fondness for the country).

Vietnam has been turning to the USA to balance that out...

Vietnam begins naval exercises with the US

6:27AM BST 23 Apr 2012

Three ships from the US 7th Fleet visited Danang during the five-day event that began Monday. No live-fire drills were planned, but the two sides were expected to practice salvage and disaster training as they have done in recent years.

Vietnam, China, the Philippines and other nations have competing claims to islands in the South China Sea, which is believed rich in oil and gas deposits. Many view the sea as a potential flash point of armed conflict.

Beijing has named the South China Sea one of its "core interests," meaning it could potentially go to war to protect it. The US has said it has a national interest in ensuring freedom of navigation in the sea, and analysts say Washington is expanding its military presence in Asia to counter China's rising influence.

http://www.telegraph...ith-the-US.html

Another quote from the Telegraph article:-

"Tensions have flared this month near a shoal north of the disputed Spratly Islands where two Chinese maritime surveillance ships blocked a Philippine warship from arresting Chinese fishermen on April 10. Chinese and Philippine vessels continued to face off at the shoal on Monday, each waiting for the other to pull out."

It also says the last serious clash there was in 1988, when 78 Vietnamese were killed in a battle with Chinese ships.

And this is just off a major sea lane.

British. Clearly British. I'm surprised anyone suggests anything different.

Should be made an Int'l Marine Park with no commercial exploitation. As that won't happen, a war will break out. Maybe that's good, because Chinese Navy will get slapped silly by the US - and they deserve it.

China claims imperialism is bad, but it the most imperialistic country on the planet, in regard to Taiwan, Tibet, and those rocks in The South China Sea, which are between 6 to 12 times closer to the other claimant countries than they are to China. It would be like Phillipines laying claim to Hainan. Maybe that's what the Phillipines should get title to, when China's one aircraft carrier navy is limping back to base with its tail between its legs.

While others argue, China is quietly building a guard-station on the Paracels. Not really a land-grab; a sea-grab perhaps.

So long as the sea-lane remains open, and China does its prospecting in areas off the beaten track, why should the US interfere? It doesn't want a war with China, and got its face slapped the last time it interfered in a big way in SEAsia.

While others argue, China is quietly building a guard-station on the Paracels. Not really a land-grab; a sea-grab perhaps.

So long as the sea-lane remains open, and China does its prospecting in areas off the beaten track, why should the US interfere? It doesn't want a war with China, and got its face slapped the last time it interfered in a big way in SEAsia.

North Vietnam had powerful friends who supplied them with weapons so they could fight the US. Who would - or even could - help the Chinese challenge the US Navy?

While others argue, China is quietly building a guard-station on the Paracels. Not really a land-grab; a sea-grab perhaps.

So long as the sea-lane remains open, and China does its prospecting in areas off the beaten track, why should the US interfere? It doesn't want a war with China, and got its face slapped the last time it interfered in a big way in SEAsia.

North Vietnam had powerful friends who supplied them with weapons so they could fight the US. Who would - or even could - help the Chinese challenge the US Navy?

Vietnam also threw the Chinese out after they threw the Americans out.

They trade with China now (the whole area has to), but they don't like 'em one little bit.

While others argue, China is quietly building a guard-station on the Paracels. Not really a land-grab; a sea-grab perhaps.

So long as the sea-lane remains open, and China does its prospecting in areas off the beaten track, why should the US interfere? It doesn't want a war with China, and got its face slapped the last time it interfered in a big way in SEAsia.

North Vietnam had powerful friends who supplied them with weapons so they could fight the US. Who would - or even could - help the Chinese challenge the US Navy?

The Chinese would not challenge the US Navy.... for the simple reason that the US Navy would not interfere in the South China Sea. The US would not risk a war with China.