South East Asia Sea's Blog

Tabular listing of features showing country possessions

Occupied features

A feature is occupied by a country if one of the following is true:

• Soldiers and/or civilian citizens of a country are present in the feature, either by building structures over the feature to house the citizens (most features are of this type) or by manning a ship anchored over the feature (Philippine-occupied Irving Reef is of this type).
• Regularly visited by soldiers of a country, not necessarily having soldiers present in it 24 hours. These features must lie near (within 9 miles (14 km)) a feature occupied by the country in the way of the first condition. Presence of structures is not necessary. This is the case of Philippine-occupied Flat Island and Lankiam Cay where soldiers stationed at Nanshan Island and Loaita Island respectively, regularly visit on a daily basis.

The effective visible distance of horizon from a 15 meter (typical large structure) height above sea-level is 9 miles (14 km). This makes features occupied by the second condition to be also labeled as “occupied” since they can be guarded far away. However not all features within the 9-mile (14 km) radius can be considered as absolutely occupied. This is especially true for features that lie between and within 9 miles (14 km) of two or more features occupied by different countries. (See Virtually Occupied or Controlled table)

Republic of China (Taiwan)

Int’l Name	Local Names	Description	Area (ha.)
Itu Aba Island[34][46]	太平島 Taiping Dao	The largest of the Spratly islands. Located about 22 miles (35 km) south-southwest of Philippine-occupied Loiata (Kota) Island and about 6 miles (10 km) west of Vietnam-occupied Sand Cay. Covered with shrubs, coconut and mangroves. 600 soldiers stationed, lighthouse, radio and weather stations, concrete landing jetty and two wells at the SW end. Guano deposits, fringing reef. Hainan fishermen used to visit annually. In 8/93, plans were announced for a 2 km-long airstrip[47] and a fishing port. The now only 1150-meters-long airstrip was completed in January 2008.[48] Pineapple was once cultivated here. Occupied since September 1956, four months after Filipino Tomas Cloma claimed the islands. Part of Tizard Banks.	46
	Ligaw[49]
	Đảo Ba Bình
Ban Than Reef[46]	中洲礁 Jhongjhou Jiao	Lies 3 miles (5 km) east of Itu-Aba Island and 3 miles (5 km) west of Vietnamese occupied Sand Cay. Small drying reef. Occupied since 1995. Part of Tizard Banks.	0
	Bãi Bàn Than
Total		1 island, 1 reef	46

People’s Republic of China

Int’l Name	Local Names	Description	Area (ha.)
Cuarteron Reef[34][46]	华阳礁 Huayang Jiao	Coral rocks only. Highest are 1.5 m high, on the north. Occupied since 1988. Part of London Reefs.	0
	Calderon
	Bãi /Đá Châu Viên
Fiery Cross Reef/ Northwest Investigator Reef[34][46]	永暑礁 Yongshu Jiao	Rocks up to 1 m high. All below at high tide, but has guano deposits. PRC built a navy harbor by blasting, piling up and cementing coral, but says no soldiers stationed here. 8,080 square meters, 14 miles (23 km) long, with airstrip. “Marine observation station” built in 1988; coconut, fir, and banyan trees planted. Actually 3 reefs. Occupied since 1988.	0
	Kagitingan
	Đá Chữ Thập
Gaven Reefs[34][46]	南薰礁 Nanxun Jiao (Northern reef) / Xinan or Duolu Jiao (S. reef)	A sand dune, 2 m high. Has fringing reef plus a reef 2 miles (3 km) to the south, both covered at high tide. Now all cement and a raised metal frame, with two-story buildings placed on top. Southern reef was occupied by PRC on 7/4/92. Occupied since 1988.Part of Tizard Banks.	0
	Burgos
	Đá Ga Ven
Hughes Reef[34]	东门礁 Dongmen Jiao	Lies 9 miles (14 km) to the east of Sin Cowe Island. Naturally above water at least at low tide. Occupied since 1988. Part of Union Banks.	0
Johnson South Reef[34][46]	赤瓜礁 Chigua Jiao	Contiguous with Vietnam-occupied Collins Reef which lies 4 miles (6 km) away northwest. Naturally above water only at low tide, but [9] says many rocks above water at high tide. Site of 1988 PRC/Vietnam clash. Occupied since 1988. Part of Union Banks.	0
	Mabini
	Đá Gạc Ma
Mischief Reef[34][46]	美济礁 Meiji Jiao	Some rocks above water at low tide. Has a lagoon. In February 1995, PRC had built a wooden complex on stilts here, starting its formal occupation of the feature. In 1999, the Philippines protested over this structures claiming that it is a military outpost and it poses danger to Philippine security and national defense, being 130 miles (209 km) from Palawan. PRC claims it is a shelter for fishermen.	0
	Panganiban[49]
	Đá Vành Khăn
Subi Reef[34][46]	渚碧礁 Zhubi Dao	Lies 16 miles (26 km) southwest of Philippine-occupied Thitu Island (Pagasa Island). Naturally above water only at low tide. Surrounds a lagoon. PRC has constructed 3-story buildings, wharfs, and a helipad here.	0
	Zamora
	Đá Su Bi
First Thomas Reef	信义礁 Xinyi Jiao	A few rocks are permanently above sea level. Much of the reef is above water at low tide. Encloses a lagoon.	0
	Bulig[49]
	Bãi Suối Ngà
Whitson Reef[46]	牛轭礁 Niu’e Jiao	Some rocks naturally above water at high tide. Part of Union Banks.	0
	Đá Ba Đầu
Total		9 reefs	0

Republic of the Philippines

Int’l Name	Local Names	Description	Area (ha.)
Flat Island[34][46]	Patag[49]	The fourteenth largest Spratly island. About 6 miles (10 km) southwest of Philippine-occupied Lawak Island (Nanshan Island). It changes its shape seasonally. The sand build up will depend largely on the direction of prevailing wind and waves. It takes the shape of an elongated one for some years now and a shape like that of a crescent moon for few years ago and it formed the shape of a letter “S” in the past. Like Panata Island (Lankiam Cay), it is also barren of any vegetation. No underground water source is found in the island. Presently, this island serves only as a military observation post for the Municipality of Kalayaan. A low, flat, sandy cay, 240 by 90 m, subject to erosion. Has a nearby reef which is above water at high tide. With large guano deposits. No vegetation. Several soldiers stationed.	0.57
	费信岛 費信島 Feixin Dao
	Đảo Bình Nguyên
LankiamCay[34][46]	Panata[49]	The fifteenth largest and the smallest Spratly island. Located 8 miles (13 km) northeast of Philippine-occupied Kota Island (Lankiam Cay). A few years ago this island has a surface area of more than 5 hectares but strong waves brought by a strong typhoon washed out the sandy surface (beach) of the island leaving behind today the calcarenite foundation that can be seen at low tide. Several soldiers stationed. Part of Loaita Banks.	0.44
	杨信沙洲 楊信沙洲 Yangxin Shazhou
	Cồn San Hô Lan Can
Loaita Island[34][46]	Kota[49]	The tenth largest Spratly island. Located 22 miles (35 km) southeast of Philippine-occupied Pag-asa Island (Thitu Island) and 22 miles (35 km) north-northeast of the ROC-occupied Itu Aba Island. It fringes the Laoita bank and reef. Its calcarenite outcrop is visible along its western side at low tide. The present shape of the island indicates sand buildup along its eastern side. The anchor-shaped side will eventually connect with the northern portion as the sand buildup continues thereby creating another mini-lagoon in the process. The presence of migrating sea birds adds to the high phosphorus contents of the sand found in the island. Occasionally, giant sea turtles are reported to be laying their eggs in the island. Covered with mangrove bushes, above which rose coconut palms and other small trees. Several soldiers stationed. Occupied since 1968. Part of Loaita Banks.	6.45
	南钥岛 南鑰島 Nanyue Dao
	Đảo Loại Ta
Nanshan Island[34][46]	Lawak[49]	The eighth largest Spratly island. Located 98.0 miles (157.7 km) east of Pag-asa (Thitu Island). This island is a bird sanctuary. Its surroundings are highly phosphatized that superphosphate materials can be mined out on a small-scale basis. Near the fringes of the breakwaters (approx. 2 miles (3 km) from the island), intact hard coral reefs were observed to retain their natural environment and beautiful tropical fishes were seen colonizing these coral beds of varying colors. Covered with coconut trees, bushes and grass. 580 m long, on the edge of a submerged reef. Several soldiers stationed. Has a small airstrip.	7.93
	马欢岛 馬歡島 Mahuan Dao
	Đảo Vĩnh Viễn
Northeast Cay[34][46]	Parola[49]	The fifth largest Spratly island. Only 1.75 miles (2.82 km) north of Vietnamese-occupied Southwest Cay and can be seen before the horizon. Located 28 miles (45 km) northwest of Philippine-occupied Pag-asa (Thitu Island). Some of its outcrops are visible on its western side. It has high salinity groundwater and vegetation limited to beach type of plants. The corals around the island were mostly destroyed by rampant use of dynamite fishing and cyanide method employed by foreign fishing boats in the past. Covered with grass and thick trees. Much of the ringing reef is above water at high tide. Supported a beacon in 1984. Has Guano deposits. Several soldiers stationed. Satellite photography suggests it may have an airstrip.[50] Occupied since 1968. Part of North Danger Reef.	12.7
	北子岛 北子島 Beizi Dao
	Đảo Song Tử Đông
Thitu Island[34][46]	Pag-asa[49]	The second largest Spratly island. Serves as the poblacion for the Municipality of Kalayaan, Palawan, Phils. It is covered with trees and has a variety of fauna. It is home to some 300+ civilians (including children) and over 50 soldiers. Other islands are expected to be populated before 2010. Population is regulated to protect the islands’ flora and fauna and to avoid tension with other countries. It has 1.4 kmairstrip, a marina, water filtering plant, power generator and a commercial communications tower (bySmart Communications). The Philippines’ Department of Tourism is making improvements to the island to make it profitable. Occupied since 1968. Part of Thitu Reefs.	37.2
	中业岛 中業島 Zhongye Dao
	Đảo Thị Tứ
West York Island[34][46]	Likas[49]	The third largest Spratly island. This island is located 47 miles (76 km) northeast of Pag-asa (Thitu Island). Outcrops are visible on the southern and eastern portion of the island during low tides. This island is considered a sanctuary for giant sea turtles that lay their eggs on the island all year round. The high salinity of the ground water in the island retards the growth of introduced trees like coconuts, ipil-ipil, and other types. Only those endemic to the area that are mostly beach type of plants thrive and survive the hot and humid condition especially during the dry season. Has an observation post. Several soldiers stationed.	18.6
	西月岛 西月島 Xiyue Dao
	Đảo Bến Lạc, Đảo Dừa
Commodore Reef[34][46]	Rizal[49]	A sand “cay”, 0.5 m high, surrounded by two lagoons. Parts of reef above water at high tide. It is a typical reef lying underwater and is now being manned by a military contingent based and established in the area. Some structures. Several soldiers stationed. Occupied since 1978.	0
	司令礁 司令礁 Siling Jiao
	Đá Công Đo
	Terumbu Laksamana
Irving Reef[46]	Balagtas	Naturally above water only at low tide. A very small cay lies at northern end. Some structures. Several soldiers stationed.	0
	火艾礁 火艾礁 Huo’ai Jiao
	Đảo Cá Nhám
Second Thomas Reef[51]	Ayungin[49]	A shallow reef. It is close to Chinese-occupied Mischief Reef. It was occupied by the Philippines in 1999, after the 1995 controversial Chinese occupation of Mischief Reef, to put pressure on China not to occupy any features further which lie near the Philippines.	0
	仁爱礁 仁愛礁 Ren’ai Jiao
Total		7 islands, 3 reefs	83.89

Socialist Republic of Vietnam

Int’l Name	Local Names	Description	Area (ha.)
Amboyna Cay[34][46]	Datu Kalantiaw[49]	The thirteenth largest Spratly island. Two parts: East part consists of sand and coral, west part is covered with guano. Has fringing reef. An obelisk, about 2.7 m high, stands on the SW corner. Little vegetation. Lighthouse operational since May 1995. Heavily fortified.	1.6
	安波沙洲 Anbo Shazhou
	Đảo An Bang
	Pulau Amboyna Kecil
Namyit Island[34][46]	Binago[49]	The twelfth largest Spratly island. Covered with small trees, bushes and grass. Has a fringing reef and is inhabited by sea birds. The island is inhabited by an unknown number of Vietnamese soldiers and in the deep waters fronting the south side it is said that a submarine base is situated.[citation needed]Occupied since 1975.Part of Tizard Banks.	5.3
	鸿庥岛 Hongxiu Dao
	Đảo Nam Yết
Sand Cay[34][46]	Bailan	The ninth largest Spratly island. Lies 6 miles (10 km) to the east of Taiwan-occupied Itu Aba Island. Covered with trees and bushes. Fringing reef partly above water at low tide. This feature is commonly confused with Sandy Cay. Occupied since 1974. Part of Tizard Banks.	7
	敦谦沙洲 Dunqian Shazhou
	Đảo /Đá Sơn Ca
Sin Cowe Island[34][46]	Rurok[49]	The seventh largest. Has fringing reef which is above water at low tide. Occupied since 1974. Part of Union Banks.	8
	景宏岛 Jinghong Dao
	Đảo Sinh Tồn
Southwest Cay[34][46]	Pugad	The sixth largest Spratly island. Only 1.75 miles (2.82 km) from Northeast Cay and can be seen before the horizon. Previously a breeding place for birds and covered with trees and guano. Export of guano was once carried out “on a considerable scale.” Fringing reef partly above water at high tide. Vietnam erected its first lighthouse in the Spratlys here in October 1993 and built an airstrip. Has a three-story building, garrisoned by soldiers. Philippine military controlled the island before early 1970s. South Vietnamese forces (Republic of Vietnam) invaded the island in 1975, when Filipino soldiers guarding the island attended the birthday party of their commanding officer based in the nearby Northeast Cay. A confirmed report came out that Vietnamese prostitutes were sent by Vietnamese officials to the birthday party, supposedly a sign of good brotherhood between the forces, but was actually used to lure the Filipino soldiers guarding the island. Filipino forces apparently planned on attacking the island, thus it would have led to a war, but Vietnamese forces were able to erect a huge garrison in the island within few weeks, forcing Filipino officials to abort the plan. Since then, more soldiers were assigned to Parola Island (North East Cay), to avoid it from happening again. This was confirmed by interviews with soldiers involved in an episode of the defunct ABS-CBN‘s Magandang Gabi Bayan (Good Evening Nation) program. See Policies, activities and history of the Philippines in Spratly Islands#Southwest Cay invasion for more details. Part of North Danger Reef.	12
	南子岛 Nanzi Dao
	Đảo Song Tử Tây
Spratly Island (proper)/ Storm Island[34][46]	Lagos	The fourth largest Spratly island. 2.5 m high, flat. Covered with bushes, grass, birds and guano. 5.5 m-high obelisk at southern tip. Has landing strip, and a fishing port. Fringing reef is above water at low tide. Some structures with soldiers stationed. Occupied since 1974.	13
	南威岛 Nanwei Dao
	Đảo Trường Sa
Alison Reef[34][46]	De Jesus[49]	Naturally above water only at low tide. Encloses a lagoon.	0
	六门礁 Liumen Jiao
	Bãi Tốc Tan
Barque Canada Reef/ Lizzie Weber Reef[34][46]	(Barque Canada Reef)Magsaysay	Coral. Highest rocks are 4.5 m high, at SW end. Much of reef is above water at high tide. Some sandy patches. 18 miles (29 km) long. Its military structures were recently upgraded. Occupied since 1987.	0
	(Lizzie Weber Reef)Mascarado
	柏礁 Bai Jiao
	Bãi Thuyền Chài
	Terumbu Perahu
Central London Reef[34][46]	Gitnang Quezon[49]	SW part is a sandbank which barely submerges at high tide. The rest is coral reef, awash, surrounding a lagoon. Occupied since 1978. Part of London Reefs.	0
	中礁 Zhong Jiao
	Đảo Trường Sa Đông
Collins Reef/ Johnson North Reef[46]	Roxas	Lies 8 miles (13 km) southwest of Vietnam-occupied Sin Cowe Island. Connected to Johnson South Reef. A “coral dune” is located at the southeast corner, above the high tide line. Part of Union Banks.	0
	鬼喊礁 Guihan Jiao
	Đá Cô Lin
Cornwallis South Reef[34][46]	Osmeña	Naturally above water only at low tide. Encloses a lagoon. Occupied since 1988.	0
	南华礁 Nanhua Jiao
	Đá Núi Le
Great Discovery Reef[34][46]	Paredes	Several rocks are above water at high tide. Most of reef is above water at low tide. Has lagoon. Occupied since 1988.	0
	大现礁 Daxian Dao
	Đá Lớn
East London Reef[34][46]	Silangang Quezon[49]	Rocks up to 1 m high. Encloses a lagoon. Occupied since 1988. Part of London Reefs.	0
	东礁 Dong Jiao
	Đá Đông
Grierson Reef[46]	Julian Felipe	A sand cay with fringing reef. Some references tell that there exist a Sin Cowe East Island. This island may be Grierson Reef. It was probably called Sin Cowe East Island because it is located to the east of Sin Cowe Island and that its sand bar is visible during low tides, making it an island. Due to convention that an island must always be visible even at highest tides, Grierson Reef is not considered as an island in this list. Its sand bar area is about 12 hectares. Part of Union Banks.	0
	染青沙洲 Ranqing Shazhou
Grainger Bank[46]	李准滩 Lizhun Tan	Shallowest natural depth is either 9 m or 11 m. Occupied since 1989.	0
	Bãi Quế Đường
Higgens Reef[34]	屈原礁 Quyuan Jiao	Lies 6 miles (10 km) southeast of Vietnam-occupied Sin Cowe Island. Only above water at low tide.Part of Union Banks.	0
	Đá Hi Ghen, Đá Hi Gen
Ladd Reef[34]	日积礁 Riji Jiao	Naturally above water at low tide. Has coral lagoon. Occupied since 1988.	0
	Đá Lát
Lan(d)sdowne Reef[34][46]	Pagkakaisa	Sand dune, with fringing reef. Part of Union Banks.	0
	琼礁 Qiong Jiao
	Đá Len Đao
Pearson Reef[34][46]	Hizon[49]	Two sand “cays”, 2 m and 1 m high, lie on the edges of a lagoon. Parts of the surrounding reef are above water at high tide. Occupied since 1988.	0
	毕生礁 Bisheng Jiao
	Đảo Phan Vinh
Petley Reef[34][46]	Juan Luna	Naturally above water only at low tide, some small rocks might stand above high water. Occupied since 1988. Part of Tizard Banks.	0
	舶兰礁 Bolan Jiao
	Đá Núi Thị
Pigeon Reef/ Tennent Reef[34][46]	Lopez-Jaena	Numerous rocks are naturally above the high tide line. Encloses a lagoon. Occupied since 1988.	0
	无乜礁 Wumie Jiao
	Đá Tiên Nữ
Prince Consort Bank[46]	西卫滩 Xiwei Tan	Shallowest natural depth is 9 m. Occupied since 1989.	0
	Bãi Phúc Nguyên
Rifleman Bank (containing Bombay Castle)[46]	南薇滩 Nanwei Tan	Shallowest natural depth is 3 m, called Bombay Castle. Sand and coral. Occupied since 1989.	0
	Bãi Vũng Mây
South Reef[34][46]	Timog	Lies about 2.5 miles (4 km) southwest of Vietnam-occupied Soutwest Cay. A tiny cay appears atop this reef on the most detailed map available. On the southwest end of North Danger Reef. Fringing reef is above water at low tide. Occupied since 1988. Part of North Danger Reef.	0
	奈罗礁 Nailuo Jiao
	Đá Nam
Vanguard Bank[46]	万安滩 Wan’an Tan	Shallowest natural depth is 16 m. Vietnam has run two “economic technological service stations” in this area since July 1994. Occupied since 1989.	0
	Bãi Tư Chính
West London Reef[34][46]	Kanlurang Quezon[49]	East part is sand “cay”, 0.6 m high. West part is coral reef which is above water only at low tide. Between them is a lagoon. Vietnam erected a lighthouse here in May or June 1994. Part of London Reefs.	0
	西礁 Xi Jiao
	Đá Tây
Total		6 islands, 17 reefs, 3 banks	46.9

Malaysia

Int’l Name	Local Names	Description	Area (ha.)
SwallowReef/ Island[34][46]	Celerio	The eleventh largest Spratly island. Treeless cay and rocks up to 3 m high surround a lagoon. Malaysia has drawn territorial seas around this and Amboyna Cay. Some 70 plus soldiers stationed here maintain a beacon. Has a fishing port and a 15-room diving resort, including a 1.5 km airstrip. Present land mass is reclaimed, making it the first artificial island in Spratly. Occupied since 1983.	6.2
	Đá Hoa Lau
	弹丸礁 Danwan Jiao
	Terumbu Layang Layang
Ardasier Reef[34][46]	Antonio Luna[49]	Naturally above water only at low tide. Encloses a lagoon. Has a few sandy patches. Several soldiers stationed. Occupied since 1986.	0
	安渡滩 Andu Tan
	Bãi Kiêu Ngựa
	Terumbu Ubi
Dallas Reef[46]	Rajah Matanda	Naturally above water only at low tide. Encloses a lagoon. Several soldiers stationed. Malaysia is also using this reef for tourism.	0
	光星礁 Guangxing Jiao
	Terumbu Laya
Erica Reef/ Enloa Reef[52]	Gabriela Silang[49]	Above water only at low tide. Some isolated rocks on the eastern edge stand above high water.	0
	簸箕礁 Boji Jiao
	Terumbu Siput
Investigator Shoal[52]	Pawikan[49]	Above water only at low tide. Some large rocks at the western end are visible at high water. Encloses a lagoon.	0
	榆亚暗沙 Yuya Ansha
	Bãi Thám Hiểm
	Terumbu Peninjau
Louisa Reef[46]	南通礁 Nantong Jiao	Rocks 1 m high. Malaysia operates a lighthouse here.	0
	Terumbu Semarang/ Barat Kecil
Mariveles Reef[34][46]	Mariveles	A sand cay, 1.5–2 m high, surrounded by two lagoons, parts of which are above water at high tide. Several soldiers stationed. Occupied since 1986.	0
	南海礁 Nanhai Jiao
	Bãi /Đá Kỳ Vân
	Terumbu Mantanani
Total		1 artificial island, 5 reefs, 1 shoal	6.2

[edit]Virtually occupied or controlled

An unoccupied feature that lies within 9 miles (14 km) radius of an occupied feature, provided that it does not lie between the occupied feature and another occupied feature controlled by a different country and is not within 9 miles (14 km) of the feature occupied by the other country, can be considered as virtually occupied. 9 miles (14 km) is the effective horizon distance that can be seen from a 15 meter high structure. The nearer the feature, the better.

While virtually occupied features are not actual occupied features (e.g., no structures built and no soldiers are stationed or regularly visits), they are on the other hand largely controlled. If a naval vessel of another country was seen within the effective horizon of a feature and in an inconvenient direction, it can be taken as a military assault. Thus, the forces occupying the feature may attack the vessel. Claimant countries currently cannot upgrade the status of these virtually occupied features to absolutely occupied because other countries may view this as an expansion motive which clearly violates the Code of Conduct signed in 2002. Also, making the virtually occupied to absolutely occupied requires building of structures which will serve as barracks of new soldiers who will guard it. Building of structures in unoccupied (including virtually occupied) features is prohibited by the Code of Conduct.

Note that most virtually occupied features are by the Philippines. Vietnam in the past, prior to signing of the Code of Conduct, have acquired many features as much as it can. As of now, it has a total of 26 occupied features. Whenever it occupied a feature in the past, it immediately occupies features which are near to it. Example of this is South Reef which Vietnam immediately occupied after it successfully invaded Southwest Cay. Thus, no feature has been virtually controlled by Vietnam since it always occupy features which it can see within its horizon. Also, Vietnam’s occupied features in Tizard and Union Banks are near other countries’ occupied features. Hence, many unoccupied features near to Vietnam’s occupied features in these banks also lie near other countries’ occupied features. As for Malaysia, it only occupied reefs at the southern tip of the Spratly chain where features are dispersed. No other features can be found within the horizon of Malaysian-occupied features.

Virtually Occupied and Controlled

Virtually Occupied by the Philippines
Int’l Name	Local Names	Description	Area (ha.)
Loaita Cay	Melchora Aquino	Lies 1.5 miles (2 km) south-northeast of Philippine-occupied Loaita Island. Actually, it is between two Philippine-occupied islands, the other being Lankiam Cay, but is nearer to Loita Island. A sand cay, with fringing reef naturally above water at high tide. This feature is commonly confused with Lankiam Cay. Not to be confused with Loaita Island. Part of Loiata Banks.	??
	南钥沙洲 Nanyao Shazhou
	Bãi Loại Ta
Loaita Nan/ Loaita Southwest Reef	Magbanua	Lies 5 miles (8 km) northwest of Philippine-occupied Loaita Island. Nearest feature occupied by other country is Subi Reef, occupied by China, lies 30 miles (48 km) northwest. Never above water. Part of Loaita Banks.	0
	双黄沙洲 Shuanghuang Shazhou
	Bãi Loại Ta Nam
North Reef	Hilaga	Lies 1.5 miles (2 km) northest of Philippine-occupied Northest Cay (Parola Island). Nearest feature occupied by other country is Southwest Cay, occupied by Vietnam, lies 3.5 miles (6 km) southwest. Because it is Northeast Cay which lies between Southwest Cay and North Reef, North Reef became virtually occupied by the Philippines. At NE end of North Danger Reef. Naturally above water only at low tide. The Philippines once considered building a long airstrip over this feature to ease transportation to Northeast Cay. Northeast Cay is only 12.7 hectares and it doesn’t have a large coral base. This is unlike Pagasa Island (Thitu Island) were a long airstrip had been constructed adjacent to the island by reclaiming portions of Pagasa’s large coral base. Hence, the Philippines cannot build a long airstrip in Northeast Cay, forcing them to consider building it in North Reef. However, though virtually occupied, they cannot build such airstrip in North Reef because the Code of Conduct prohibits it. Part of North Danger Reef.	0
	贡士礁 Gongshi Jiao
Sandy Cay/ Extension Reef	铁线礁 Tiexian Jiao	Lies 5 miles (8 km) west of Philippine-occupied Thitu Island. Nearest feature occupied by other country is Subi Reef, occupied by China, lies 13 miles (21 km) southwest. A low sand cay; fringing reef above water at high tide.	??
Virtually Occupied by China
Int’l Name	Local Names	Description	Area (ha.)
Kennan Reef	西门礁 Ximen Jiao (Kennan)	Lies just 1 mile (2 km) west of PRC-occupied Hughes Reef. Nearest features occupied by other country is Vietnam-occupied Sin Cowe Island and Higgens Reef, both lies about 9 miles (14 km) west and southwest respectively. Because China is very near compared to Vietnam, Kennan Reef became virtually occupied by China. It actually causes many references to be confused on which feature between Hughes and Kennan is actually occupied by China. Naturally above water at least at low tide.	0
	Đá Ken Nan

[edit]Unoccupied features

Unoccupied but Largely Controlled by the Philippines

The reefs, shoals, etc. to the east of the 116°E meridian are closely guarded by the Philippine Navy and Air Force. Though not occupied, the Philippines undeniably has control over these features which are less 100 miles (160 km) from the Palawan west coast (note:Scarborough Shoal is 100 miles (160 km) from Zambales west coast). There are many Filipino fishermen in this region, who cooperate closely with the Philippine Navy. Non-Filipino fishermen are tolerated in this region, provided that they comply with Philippine laws. Thepress in the Philippines have reported many arrests of Chinese fishermen by the Philippine Navy because of illegal fishing methods and catching of endangered sea species, both in this region and in the Sulu Sea. Philippine military presence in this region intensified after the 1995 Mischief Reef incident. The Philippine Air Force has been active in striking even the markers set up by other countries to guide the latter’s naval forces in this region.
Int’l Name	Local Names	Description	Area (ha.)
Amy Douglas Reef or Baker	Mahiwagang Diwata	Lies north of Palawan Passage. Awash at low tide.	0
	安塘滩 Antang Tan, 安塘礁 Antang Jiao
Bombay Shoal	Abad Santos[49]	Several rocks are exposed at low tide. Surrounds a lagoon.	0
	蓬勃暗沙 Pengbo Ansha
Boxall Reef	Rajah Sulayman	Above water only at low tide.	0
	牛车轮礁 Niuchelun Jiao
Carnadic Shoal	红石暗沙 Hongshi Ansha		0
Director Shoal/Reef	Tamban		0
	指向礁 Zhixiang Jiao
Ganges Reef	Palma		0
	恒礁 Heng Jiao
Glasgow Bank	Aguinaldo	Some sources say[citation needed] this area is occupied by the Philippines due to its proximity to the Commodore Reef.	0
	双礁 Shuang Jiao
Half Moon Shoal	Hasa-hasa[49]	Several rocks on the eastern side rise one to two feet above high tide. Encloses a lagoon.	0
	半月礁 Banyue Jiao
	Bãi Trăng Khuyết
Hardy Reef	Sakay	Naturally above water only at low tide. Surrounds a narrow strip of sand.	0
	半路礁 Banlu Jiao
Hopkins Reef	火星礁 Huoxing Jiao		0
Investigator Northeast Shoal	Dalagang Bukid	Lies only a few miles west of Palawan. Naturally above water at low tide.	0
	海口礁 Haikou Jiao
Iroquois Reef	Del Pilar	Lies east of both Philippine-occupied Nanshan Island and Flat Island. Above water only at low tide.	0
	鲎藤礁 Houteng Jiao
Leslie Bank	Urduja		0
	勇士滩 Yongshi Tan
Lord Auckland Shoal	Lapu-Lapu		0
	莪兰暗沙 Elan Ansha
Lys Shoal	Bisugo		0
	乐斯暗沙 Lesi Ansha
NE Shea	Ponce	Lies only a few miles north of Commodore Reef. Above water only at low tide.	0
Pennsylvania North Reef	阳明礁 Yangming Jiao		0
Pennsylvania South Reef	孔明礁 Kongming Jiao		0
Reed Tablemount (including Nares Bank and Marie LouiseBank)	Recto[49]	Shallowest natural depth is 9 m. About 2,500 square miles (6,500 km2) in area. The Philippines occupied this feature in 1971 and a Philippine-Sweden joint oil-exploration followed afterwards.[46]However, China protested this act of the Philippines saying that this tablemount which center lies 100 miles (160 km) from the Philippines is part of China’s territories. After that, the Philippines tried asking China for a joint effort but China declined arguing that the Philippines has no right in this feature. Presently, this feature is largely controlled by the Philippines.	0
	礼乐滩 Liyue Tan
	Bãi Cỏ Rồng
Royal Captain Shoal	Kanduli[49]	A few rocks are above water at low tide. Surrounds a lagoon.	0
	舰长礁 Jianzhang Jiao
Sabina Shoal	Escoda	It encloses two lagoons, naturally above water at low tide. Lies east of the Philippine-occupied Second Thomas Reef.	0
	仙宾礁 Xianbin Jiao
Sandy Shoal	Mabuhangin		0
	神仙暗沙 Shenxian Ansha
Seahorse Shoal or Seashore Shoal	Baybayin Dagat	Lies north of Palawan Passage	0
	海马滩 Haima Tan
Stag Shoal	Panday Pira		0
	隐遁暗沙 Yindun Ansha
Southern Bank/Reef	Katimugan	A group of features located south of Reed Tablemount. The reef includes: Magat Salamat, Tagpi, Hubo Reef, and Katimugan Banks/Reef. The area is largely controlled and used for fishing by the Philippines due to its proximity to Flat Island and Nanshan Island.	0
	南方浅滩 Nanfang Qiantan
Templar Bank	Dalag[49]		0
	忠孝滩 Zhongxiao Tan
Trident Shoal	Tatlong-tulis		0
	永登暗沙 Yongdeng Ansha
Viper North Shoal	Maya-maya		0
	都护暗沙 Duhu Ansha
Viper Shoal	Tomas Claudio		0
	保卫暗沙 Baowei Ansha,

Not Occupied by any Country

These are the unoccupied features. Some sources say that some of these features are occupied by Vietnam or China but most sources, including the latest, say that they are not occupied. Occupation are probably confused because the said reefs are very close to occupied features. There are many unoccupied features in the Spratly chain. The current Code of Conduct prohibits any country from acquiring new features. Many of these features are actually in between and near two or more occupied features of different countries. Thus, they serve like buffer zones. Example of this is Jones Reef which lies almost exactly between PRC-occupied Hughes Reef and Vietnamese-occupied Higgens Reef.
Int’l Name	Local Names	Description	Area (ha.)
Alicia Annie Reef	Arellano[49]	A sand “cay”, 1.2 m high. Many rocks above high tide line.	0
	仙娥礁 Xian’e Jiao
	Đá Suối Ngọc
Coronation Bank			0
Discovery Small Reef	Gomez	Above water only at low tide.	0
	小现礁 Xiaoxian Jiao
	Đá Nhỏ
Duvalle Shoal			0
Edmund Reef	南门礁 Nanmen Jiao	Lies 4 miles (6 km) east of Vietnam-occupied Sin Cowe Island and 4 miles (6 km) west of Kennan Reef. Part of Union Banks.	0
Eldad Reef	Malvar	Only a few large rocks are naturally above water at high tide. Part of Tizard Banks.	0
	安达礁 Anda Jiao
	Beting Burgai
Hallet Reef	安乐礁 Anle Jiao	Lies 1 mile (2 km) to the northeast of Hughes Reef. Part of Union Banks.	0
Holiday Reef	长线礁 Changxian Jiao	Above water only at low tide. Part of Union Banks.	0
Hopps Reef	Diego Silang	Above water only at low tide. Part of Southampton Reefs.	0
	禄沙礁 Lusha Jiao
	Đá Hop
Jackson Atoll	Quirino	Four or five portions are above water at low tide. Encloses a lagoon.	0
	五方礁 Wufang Jiao
Jones Reef	漳溪礁 Zhangxi Jiao	Lies 5 miles (8 km) south of Kennan Reef. Small reef, partly above water only at low tide.Part of Union Banks.	0
Len Dao Reef		Visible in some maps. Part of Union Reefs.	0
Livock Reef	(NE part) Jacinto	Above water only at low tide. Some rocks still visible at high tide. Part of Southampton Reefs.	0
	(SW part) Bonifacio
	三角礁 Sanjiao Jiao
Menzies Reef	Rajah Lakandula[49]	Awash at low tide. Part of Loaita Bank.	0
	蒙自礁 Mengzi Jiao
	Đá Men Di
Owen Shoal	奥援暗沙 Aoyuan Ansha	Shallowest natural depth is 6 m.	0
Prince of Wales Bank	广雅滩 Guangya Tan	Shallowest natural depth is 7 m. Has corals.	0
	Bãi Phúc Tần
Thitu Reef	铁峙礁 Tiezhi Jiao	Above water only at low tide. Located northeast of Thitu Island and unnamed on most maps. Part of Thitu Reefs	0

Claimed features by country but occupied by other country

Claimed features by country but occupied by other country

Only the PRC, the ROC and Vietnam claim all of the Spratly Island Chain, including some features that are just 50 km from other countries like the Philippines and Malaysia. However, the Philippines, Malaysia and Brunei all have partial claims only. Here are the islands claimed but are not occupied by these three countries (flags refer to the country currently occupying the feature):

Philippines: Itu Aba Island , Amboyna Cay , Namyit Island , Sand Cay , Sin Cowe Island , Sin Cowe East Island , Southwest Cay , Spratly Island Proper , Pigeon Reef , South Reef , Ardasier Reef , Erica Reef , Investigator Shoal , Mariveles Reef , Swallow Reef/Island , Mischief Reef , Subi Reef  and all of features to the east of the 116°E meridian (unoccupied) (see Unoccupied but Largely Controlled by the Philippines subtable).

Malaysia: Amboyna Cay , Barque Canada Reef , Commodore Reef  and Royal Charlotte Reef (unoccupied)

Brunei: Rifleman Bank , Louisa Reef  and Owen Shoal (uncertain)