Nanshan Island


Nanshan Island is the eighth largest natural island of the Spratly Islands group, and the fourth largest of the Philippine-occupied islands. It has an area of. It is located east of Thitu Island. The island is administered by the Philippines as part of Kalayaan, Palawan.

Environment

This island is a bird sanctuary. Its surroundings are highly phosphatized that superphosphate materials can be mined out on a small-scale basis. Near the fringes of the breakwaters, intact hard coral reefs were observed to retain their natural environment and beautiful tropical fishes were seen colonizing these coral beds of varying colors. It is also covered with coconut trees, bushes and grass. It is 580 m long, on the edge of a submerged reef.

Philippine Occupation

A handful of Philippine soldiers and their families are stationed on the island, which has been inhabited since 1968 when Philippines occupied this island. There are only one to two structures in this island that serve as shelters for the soldiers. The soldiers are also the guard of nearby Flat Island which lies 6 miles north-northeast of the island which is also occupied by the Philippines.
Lawak island is claimed by the People's Republic of China, Republic of China, Malaysia and Vietnam.