What country does the South China Sea Islands belong to?

[Namor]

Why not have an international body govern the South China Sea? Antarctica has a similar arrangement, and I am sure it'd be useful elsewhere. Like in the Arctic ocean.

Good idea, but that'll make EVERYONE mad. Why? No one would be administrating the islands.

[Great Eurussia]

Well, if you look at the map, the best country to claim is the Philippines.

And by common sense, if you have all the legal basis to claim it, why would you be afraid to legally claim it?
Well, I'm sure you know what country I am talking about. They have the force but they don't have the papers. ;-)

If the ASEAN wishes to end this dispute peacefully, why would China not cooperate?
Why not bring it in the international tribunals to legally solve the dispute?
And all claimants shut their mouths and wait for the verdict, so peace will be maintained!

[Ostroeuropa]

I support Taiwans claim as they are democratic and wont buckle to Chinese claims.

[Bombadil]

There's as much gravedigging of history to these claims as there is in this thread itself.

[Democratic Koyro]

They belong to me. I am the Ruler of these Islands. I wish people would back off and stop claiming my territory as their own

[Great Eurussia]

Yes. If we rely too much in history, the Chinese will definitely claim the whole world!
The Mongolians will claim China all the way to Europe! That's why there are treaties to follow!

[Great Eurussia]

Which is why we need to reopen Subic Bay and Clark Field.

After WW II, US policy was to rebuild Japan into a modern Industrial power. There plan for the Philippines, which was a US Commonwealth, was for the Philippines to be a supplier to Japan. If the Phiippines had been turned into a modern industrial power like Japan then there might not be a Spratly conflcit. Today, the Philippines is considered to have the weakest military in the region.

Yes that is why it's good to have the US looking on this issue because if this will be within the ASEAN and China, there will surely be imbalance of influence and warmongering among nations! War will be inevitable!

[CTALNH]

Greece with second option being China because they at least got the muscle to force their will upon others.

[The Shrailleeni Empire]

'Merica. Any country can claim it if it likes, but just try to stop U.S. ships from sailing through.