SPRATLY ISLAND -UPSC Current Affairs

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Context

China deployed three navigation beacons around the contested Spratly islands of the South China Sea.

Spratly Island Pointers

The Spratly Islands are a disputed archipelago in the South China Sea.
The archipelago lies off the coasts of the Philippines, Malaysia, and southern Vietnam.
It is claimed in its entirety by China, Taiwan and Vietnam, while portions are claimed by Malaysia and the Philippines.
The northeast part of the Spratly Islands is known as Dangerous Ground and is characterized by many low islands, sunken reefs, and degraded, sunken atolls with coral.
Economic activity has included commercial fishing, shipping, guano mining, oil and gas exploitation, and more recently, tourism.

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q. Consider the following statements:

1. The South China Sea is a marginal sea of the Eastern Pacific Ocean.

2. The Spratly Islands are a disputed archipelago in the South China Sea.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

(a) Only 1

(b) Only 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Correct Answer: (b) Only 2