| Disputed island | |
|---|---|
 Nanshan Island | |
  Nanshan Island | |
| Other names | Lawak Island (Philippine English) Pulo ng Lawak (Filipino) 馬歡島 / 马欢岛 Mǎhuān Dǎo (Chinese) Đảo Vĩnh Viễn (Vietnamese) |
| Geography | |
| Location | West Philippine Sea |
| Coordinates | 10°44′N 115°48′E / 10.733°N 115.800°E |
| Archipelago | Spratly Islands |
| Administration | |
| Region | IV-B - MIMAROPA |
| Province | Palawan |
| Municipality | Kalayaan |
| Claimed by | |
| Additional information | |
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Nanshan Island, also known as Lawak Island (Filipino: Pulo ng Lawak, lit. 'Island of Vastness'; Mandarin Chinese: 馬歡島/马欢岛; pinyin: Mǎhuān Dǎo; Vietnamese: Đảo Vĩnh Viễn), is the eighth largest natural island of the Spratly Islands, and the fourth largest of the Philippine-occupied islands (none of the Philippine-occupied islands have any significant amount of reclaimed land). It has an area of 7.93 hectares (19.6 acres). It is located 98 miles (158 km) east of Thitu Island (Pag-asa). The island is administered by the Philippines as a part of Kalayaan, Palawan.
This island is a bird sanctuary. Its surroundings are highly phosphatized such that superphosphate materials can be mined out on a small-scale basis. Near the fringes of the breakwaters (approx. 2 miles (3 km) from the island), 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.
A handful of Philippine soldiers and their families are stationed on the island, which has been inhabited since 1968 when the Philippines occupied this island.[2] 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 (10 km) north-northeast of the island which is also occupied by the Philippines. The island has a helipad.
The Philippine Coast Guard constructed 5 lighthouses in the area, and this includes one on Nanshan Island.[3]
Lawak Island is claimed by the People's Republic of China, the Republic of China (Taiwan), and Vietnam.
