Answer:
Beijing considers that the islands, banks, and shoals as well as surrounding waters of the Xisha, Nansha, Zongsha, and Dongsha archipelagos, all the way down to the Zengmu Ansha reef as its southernmost tip, constitute an indisputable and indivisible part of China’s historical territory. Together these territories account for hundreds of islands, islets, sandbanks, rocks, and shoals (also referred to as “maritime features”) throughout the South China Sea region. While Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan, and Vietnam have overlapping claims in the region, the Chinese government deems alternative interpretations to its claims to be untenable.
Explanation:
