The Paracel Islands, covering an area of approximately 15,000 square kilometers and located equidistant from the coasts of Vietnam and China, are coral reefs that China has controlled since 1974, following a brief conflict with South Vietnam. The sovereignty of this archipelago is disputed by Hanoi and Taipei, raising ongoing tensions in the region.
Recently, China claimed to have “driven away” the Dutch frigate HNLMS De Ruyter from the Paracel Islands, highlighting the complex maritime disputes in the South China Sea. This incident underscores the strategic significance of the region and the ongoing geopolitical tensions involving multiple nations.
