| Paracel Islands (2005) | Paracel Islands (2002) | |
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| Airports | 1 (2004 est.) | 1 (2001) | 
| Airports - with paved runways | total: 1 
 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2004 est.)  | 
				total: 1 
 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2002)  | 
				
| Background | 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. The islands are claimed by Taiwan and Vietnam. | This archipelago is 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. The islands are claimed by Vietnam and Taiwan. | 
| Disputes - international | occupied by China, also claimed by Taiwan and Vietnam | occupied by China, but claimed by Taiwan and Vietnam | 
| Land use | arable land: 0% 
 permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (2001)  | 
				arable land: 0% 
 permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (1998 est.)  | 
				
| Population | no indigenous inhabitants 
 note: there are scattered Chinese garrisons  | 
				no indigenous inhabitants 
 note: there are scattered Chinese garrisons (July 2002 est.)  | 
				
| Waterways | - | none |