Oceanic Weather Station on Yong Shu Reef in Spratly Islands

　　The Spratly Islands are located in the southern part of the South China Sea. This is the largest single area within the South China Sea and includes the largest number of islands. A wide variety of coral atolls make the Spratly Islands an amazing sight. They are like strings of beautiful pearls spread on the blue sea. Itu Aba Island is the biggest island in this archipelago; it has the best natural conditions, and is now occupied by the Republic of China. Swallow Reef is very small, but Malaysia has succeeded in developing it.
　　 The Spratly Islands have a very important geographical location. They are the gate to southern China, linking China to the Pacific Ocean and the Indian Ocean. Fishing and ocean-going cargo ships must also pass through here when they go to the countries of Southeast Asia to trade. Because it is on the sea  transportation route between Asia, Europe and Africa, and has extensive petroleum, natural gas and fishing resources, sovereignty of the archipelago is disputed between several neighboring countries.