21.   The Spratlys are believed to lie atop valuable mineral and gas deposits.

22.   The Spratlys straddle key sea lanes and are thought to lie atop rich mineral, oil and gas deposits.

23.   The Spratlys, which are also claimed by China and Taiwan, are near strategic shipping lanes and are believed to lie atop oil and mineral deposits.

24.   The Spratlys straddle strategic sea lanes in the South China Sea and are believed to lie atop rich mineral and oil deposits.

25.   The Spratlys straddle strategic shipping lanes, and some geologists believe they lie atop rich oil reserves.

26.   The Spratlys are believed to lie atop rich oil and gas deposits.

27.   The string of islands, atolls, reefs and shoal are thought to lie atop rich oil, natural gas and mineral deposits.

28.   The two countries have overlapping claims to the Spratlys, a chain of atolls and submerged reefs believed to lie atop reserves of oil and natural gas.

29.   They straddle strategic sea lanes and are thought to lie atop rich mineral and oil deposits.

30.   They straddle strategic sea lands and are thought to lie atop rich mineral and oil deposits.