11.   In the South China Sea, a region of overlapping claims by six nations, China has adopted a multilateralist stance, advocating joint development of disputed areas.

12.   Lafferrandre said he hoped that Thailand and Cambodia would soon resolve the issue of overlapping territorial claims to allow the exploitation of existing offshore oil reserves.

13.   Manila and Beijing have overlapping claims to the Spratlys, a chain of atolls and reefs believed to be rich in oil and natural gas.

14.   Malaysia and the Philippines have overlapping territorial claims.

15.   Relations between the two countries have been strained because of overlapping claims on the Spratly Islands, an atoll localted between the two countries.

16.   Severino was referring in particular to the Spratly Islands, focus of overlapping claims by China, Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan.

17.   Thailand, Malaysia and Vietnam held their first trilateral meeting last week to discuss their overlapping claims in the Gulf of Thailand.

18.   Suspected oil, gas and mineral wealth under the islands has never been proven because of the overlapping claims and occasional clashes among the claimants.

19.   The dispute arose when both countries extended their territorial waters, which caused overlapping claims in the Barents Sea.

20.   The Philippines and China have overlapping claims to the Spratlys, a chain of atolls and reefs believed to be rich in oil and natural gas.