My World Factbook
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The Paracel Islands are surrounded by productive fishing grounds and by potential oil and gas reserves. In 1932, French Indochina annexed the islands and set up a weather station on Pattle Island; maintenance was continued by its successor, Vietnam. China has occupied the Paracel Islands since 1974, when its troops seized a South Vietnamese garrison occupying the western islands. China built a military installation on Woody Island with an airfield and artificial harbor. The islands also are claimed by Taiwan and Vietnam.
Government
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Paracel Islands
Military
occupied by China
Transnational Issues
occupied by China, also claimed by Taiwan and Vietnam
The Shock Doctrine: The Rise of Disaster Capitalism - 
