The CIA World Factbook Every edition, 2001 to 2025 Southeast Asia

Background Paracel Islands, in 25 editions.

The entry for Paracel Islands published Background in 25 editions of 36, from 2001 to 2025. The text changed in 7 editions. Each is shown as published. Background in every entry.

editions changed the text
7
the first edition with it
2001
the latest edition with it
2025

Published as “Background” (2001 to 2025).

field in that editiontext changed from the edition beforenot in that editionthe edition shownChoose an edition on the strip beside the text, or step through them with the arrows. Mark changes compares it with the edition before: the marks are ours, words added and words removed.

2025 edition

Same as 2024

Open the 2025 entry

The same text in 2024 and 2025.

The Paracel Islands are surrounded by productive fishing grounds and potential oil and gas reserves. In 1932, French Indochina annexed the islands and set up a weather station on Pattle Island. China has occupied all the Paracel Islands since 1974, when its troops seized a South Vietnamese garrison occupying the western islands. China has built a military installation on Woody Island with an airfield and artificial harbor, and it has scattered garrisons on some of the other islands. Taiwan and Vietnam also claim the Paracel Islands.

The Paracel Islands are surrounded by productive fishing grounds and by potential oil and gas reserves. In 1932, French Indochina annexed the islands and set up a weather station on Pattle Island; maintenance was continued by its successor, Vietnam. Island. China has occupied all the Paracel Islands since 1974, when its troops seized a South Vietnamese garrison occupying the western islands. China has built a military installation on Woody Island with an airfield and artificial harbor, and it has scattered garrisons on some of the other islands. The Paracel islands also are claimed by Taiwan and Vietnam. Vietnam also claim the Paracel Islands.

Cite this page

Central Intelligence Agency. “Paracel Islands: Background.” The World Factbook, 2001–2025 editions. Archived by The Factbook, thefactbook.org/paracel-islands/background.

How to cite