Geographically the Spratleys are closest to Malaysia and the Philipines. The 2 countries have been open and fair to claims by surrounding countries.
Historically there was no southern Vietnam until the invasion on Champa in 1471-ish. The Vietnamese are late comers. A Chinese sailor by the name of Zheng He disovered the islands around 1405-1433. Zheng He sailed throughout southeast asia and to africa. Vietnamese never set foot on the Spratleys or had a valid claim to the islands until the Champa invasion and after annexing Champa which is now known as central and southern Vietnam.
Austronesians were sailing and fishing on these islands before Vietnamese and Chinese. Austronesians were the greatest seafarers in ancient time you can find their descendants still living in Madagascar islands. Vietnam controls over 50%, greedy? Learn to share.
Historically there was no southern Vietnam until the invasion on Champa in 1471-ish. The Vietnamese are late comers. A Chinese sailor by the name of Zheng He disovered the islands around 1405-1433. Zheng He sailed throughout southeast asia and to africa. Vietnamese never set foot on the Spratleys or had a valid claim to the islands until the Champa invasion and after annexing Champa which is now known as central and southern Vietnam.
Austronesians were sailing and fishing on these islands before Vietnamese and Chinese. Austronesians were the greatest seafarers in ancient time you can find their descendants still living in Madagascar islands. Vietnam controls over 50%, greedy? Learn to share.