Vietnam submits extended continental shelf claim to UN for South China Sea, following the Philippines' move.

Vietnam submitted an extended continental shelf (ECS) claim to the UN for the South China Sea, following the Philippines' similar move last month. This marks Vietnam's third submission for an ECS, including a submission in respect to the North Area of the South China Sea and a joint submission with Malaysia in 2009. The South China Sea, with an estimated $3 trillion worth of trade passing through annually, is believed to be rich in oil, natural gas, and fish stocks. Vietnam reaffirmed its sovereignty over the Hoang Sa (Paracel) and Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelagos in response to the Philippines' similar submission.