evidence: The total area of the South China Sea is 350 square kilometres. The South China Sea contains over 230 small islands, atolls, cays, and shoals, collectively known as the South China Sea islands. These islands are geographically divided into four parts: the Paracel Islands, the Macclesfield Bank, the Pratas Islands and the Spratly Islands. Most of these islands are very small, the largest of which is Pratas, with 12 square kilometres and Itu Aba Island, the largest island of Spratly Islands, is also only 0.4 square kilometres in size.2 [...] Territorial sovereignty claims over the South China Sea islands have been made by six countries, namely, China, Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei and Indonesia. In addition, Taiwan (China) also has made claims based upon special political factors, thus creating a six-nation-and-seven-party situation in the area. The Pratas Islands are garrisoned by Taiwan’s (China) armed forces. The Macclesfield Bank is dominated by the practical control of the Philippines. The Paracel Islands are controlled by mainland China. The Spratly Islands are controlled by the following countries respectively, mainland China controls 7 reefs, Taiwan (China) 2, Vietnam 29, Philippines 8, Malaysia 5, with Brunei 2, and Indonesia 1.9 1 Mainland China