uninhabited rocks in the middle of the sea
Well, part of the issue is that they technically aren’t uninhabited anymore.
The largest naturally occurring island in the area is occupied by the ROC. A grand total of four civilians live there (and 220 troops). It has an airport that occupies the entire length of the island.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taiping_Island
Is four people enough to claim an island? Taiwan seems to think so, and they are a vital US ally.
Time travels
It’s yesterday once more.