Zhongzhou Reef

Zhongzhou Reef / Ban Than Reef
	Zhongzhou Reef
	Zhongzhou Reef / Ban Than Reef
Other names	; Zhōngzhōu jiāo (中洲礁) (Chinese); Bãi Bàn Than (Vietnamese)
Geography
Location	South China Sea
Coordinates	10°23′10″N 114°24′49″E / 10.38611°N 114.41361°E
Archipelago	Spratly Islands
Administration
	Republic of China (Taiwan)
Municipality	Cijin, Kaohsiung

Zhongzhou Reef also known as Ban Than Reef and Centre Cay^[3] (Mandarin Chinese: 中洲礁; pinyin: Zhōngzhōu Jiāo; Vietnamese: Bãi Bàn Than) is a small coral reef on the north edge of the Tizard Bank in the Spratly Islands, South China Sea under administration by the Republic of China (Taiwan). It lies 4.6 km (2.9 mi) east of Taiwan-administered Taiping Island (Itu Aba), 7.2 km (4.5 mi) west of Vietnam-administered Sand Cay,^[4] 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.^{[dubious – discuss]}^{[citation needed]} 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).^{[citation needed]}

The reef is also claimed by the People's Republic of China, the Philippines, and Vietnam.

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.^{[citation needed]}

The reef has no groundwater source. Though currently uninhabited by humans, the Taiwanese 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.^{[citation needed]} The Vietnam People's Navy also sends patrols from nearby Sand Cay.

Recent history

Taiwanese Coast Guard Landing on Zhongzhou Reef on June 15, 2015, as part of their visit to Taiping Island^[5]

The reef was included within the area claimed by China in 1935, and this claim was reiterated in a map published in 1947.^[6]

Scientists from Taiwan conducted ecological research on green turtles living on the reef from 2002 to 2003.^{[citation needed]}

On 16 August 2003, the Taiwanese Minister of the Interior Yu Cheng-hsien visited the reef, travelling via M8 speedboat, and planted a Taiwanese flag in a declaration of sovereignty. On 28 March 2004, the Taiwanese Coast Guard Administration completed the construction of wooden observation kiosks on the reef.^{[citation needed]} In September 2010, the ROC Environmental Protection Agency conducted environmental quality sampling intending on monitoring reef marine water quality.^[7]

On 22 March 2012, a routine patrol of the Taiwanese Coast Guard came into contact with Vietnamese patrol boats near the reef; following the incident, Taiwanese legislators Lin Yu-fang, Chen Zhenxiang and Chen Zhankai visited the reef by M8 speedboats.^{[citation needed]}

References

^ Hsiao, Anne Hsiu-An; Lin, Cheng-Yi (19 May 2017). The South China Sea Dispute. Cambridge University Press. pp. 74–103. ISBN 9789814695565. Retrieved 31 October 2021.
^ 繆, 宇綸. "我在南海佔領中洲礁太平島官兵定期巡視". Yahoo News. 中國廣播公司. Retrieved 31 October 2021.
^ Itu Aba Island (Taiping Island), Spratly Islands, globalsecurity.org
^ measured at HERE Satellite Image Tiles
^ Taipei Times, 01 November 2015, p. 1: ROC does not ‘recognize’ UN tribunal
^ "China: Maritime Claims in the South China Sea" (PDF). Limits in the Seas No. 143. United States Department of State, Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs, Office of Ocean and Polar Affairs. 5 December 2014. Scholarly accounts indicate that the 1947 map, titled 'Map of South China Sea Islands', originated from an earlier one titled 'Map of Chinese Islands in the South China Sea' (Zhongguo nanhai daoyu tu) published by the Republic of China's Land and Water Maps Inspection Committee in 1935, and that Chinese maps produced after the establishment of the People's Republic of China in 1949 'appear to follow the old maps'.
^ 淨灘活動（中華民國行政院海巡署）, ROC Coast Guard Administration, 2010.