ABSTRACT
The Paracel Islands form part of the complex maritime boundary dispute between China and Vietnam, which includes the Gulf of Tongking and the Spratly Islands. The Chinese base their case on the fact that the islands were discovered by Chinese navigators and used by Chinese fishermen for centuries. The Paracels were annexed by France in 1932 and in 1939 they were occupied by Japan. Under the San Francisco Treaty of 1951, Japan renounced any claims but no statement was made as to the ownership of the islands. On 16 January 1974, in the One Hundred Minute War, the Chinese drove South Vietnamese forces out of the Paracels and established a garrison which has remained there ever since. The Paracels in the context of Chinas claims the whole of the South China Sea, including the Spratly Islands. The USA and Russia withdraw from the area and regional powers become established, the issue of the Paracel Islands becomes a Pacific Rim flashpoint.
