Paracel Islands (redirected from Xisha Island)

Paracel Islands (päräsĕl`), Chin. Xisha, group of low coral islands and reefs in the South China Sea, c.175 mi (280 km) SE of Hainan island. They are rich in guano and are underlain by oil deposits. Prior to World War II the islands were part of French Indochina and served as a weather station. During the war they were occupied by Japan but passed to China in 1945. The islands were also claimed by the South Vietnamese, who maintained a weather station and small garrison there until 1974, when they were attacked and driven from the islands by Chinese armed forces, which then occupied them. Chinese ownership of the archipelago is contested by Vietnam and Taiwan.

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Paracel Islands

 Chinese Xisha Qundao or Hsi-sha Ch'ün-tao Vietnamese Quan Dao Hoang Sa

Group of about 130 small coral islands and reefs, South China Sea, east of central Vietnam and southeast of Hainan Island, China. The low, barren islands, none of which exceeds 1 sq mi (2.5 sq km) in area, lack fresh water, and there are no permanent human residents. In 1932 the islands were claimed by French Indochina, and Japan occupied some of them during World War II. China, Taiwan, and Vietnam all claim them. In 1974 China assumed control, and they have remained a matter of contention.