Zhongzhou Reef
| Disputed island Other names: Zhōngzhōu jiāo (中洲礁), Bãi Bàn Than |
|
|---|---|
International Space Station photograph of Taiping Island (left) and Zhongzhou Reef (right)
|
|
| Geography | |
 |
|
| Location | South China Sea |
| Coordinates | 10°23′10″N 114°24′49″E / 10.38611°N 114.41361°ECoordinates: 10°23′10″N 114°24′49″E / 10.38611°N 114.41361°E |
| Archipelago | Spratly Islands |
| Length | 100 metres (330 ft) |
| Width | 100 metres (330 ft) |
| Administered by | |
| Republic of China (Taiwan) | |
| Municipality | Cijin, Kaohsiung |
| Claimed by | |
| People's Republic of China | |
| City | Sansha, Hainan |
| Philippines | |
| Municipality | Kalayaan, Palawan |
| Republic of China (Taiwan) | |
| Municipality | Cijin, Kaohsiung |
| Vietnam | |
| Province | Khánh Hòa |
Zhongzhou Reef (Chinese: 中洲礁; pinyin: Zhōngzhōu jiāo; Vietnamese: Bãi Bàn Than) is a small coral reef within the Tizard Bank of the Spratly Islands. It lies 5 km (3 mi) east of ROC-occupied Taiping Island, 5 km (3 mi) west of Vietnamese-occupied Sand Cay, and has an exposed area of approximately 0.2 hectares (0.49 acres) during high tide, and 0.6 hectares (1.5 acres) during low tide. It consists of an accumulation of seashells, sand, coral reefs and debris which forms a circular coral reef plate, surrounding the reef under the water, with a diameter of approximately 1.3 km (0.8 mi).
The reef is currently controlled by Taiwan (ROC), under the administration of Cijin District, Kaohsiung. It is also claimed by PRC, Vietnam and the Philippines.
As many as 51 species of migratory birds inhabit the reef for short stays. The surrounding waters contain a rich marine ecosystem with plentiful staghorn coral. Shellfish species such as Harpago chiragra and Cassis cornuta can be found on the reef, and the surrounding waters contain various common tropical fish and coral reef fish. The reef geology is not suitable for plant growth.
The reef has no groundwater source. Though currently uninhabited by humans, the ROC Coast Guard sends regular patrols via M8 speedboats from nearby Taiping Island. These patrols circle the reef, in addition to landing, making inspections and carrying out ecological surveys.
The reef was first claimed by Nationalist China in 1935, and this claim was reiterated in a map published in 1947.
...
Wikipedia