Loaita Island

Loaita Island
Disputed island; Other names: ; Kota Island (Philippine English); Pulo ng Kota (Filipino); Đảo Loại Ta (Vietnamese); 南鑰島 / 南钥岛 Nányào Dǎo (Chinese)
	Loaita Island
Geography
Location	South China Sea
Coordinates	10°40′N 114°25′E / 10.667°N 114.417°ECoordinates: 10°40′N 114°25′E / 10.667°N 114.417°E
Archipelago	Spratly Islands
Administered by
Philippines
Region	IV-B - MIMAROPA
Province	Palawan
Municipality	Kalayaan
Claimed by
People's Republic of China
Philippines
Republic of China (Taiwan)
Vietnam

Loaita Island also known as Kota Island (Filipino: Pulo ng Kota; Mandarin Chinese: 南鑰島/南钥岛; pinyin: Nányào Dǎo, and Vietnamese: Đảo Loại Ta), with an area of 6.45 hectares (15.9 acres) -- is the tenth largest of the naturally-occurring Spratly Islands, and the fifth largest of the Philippine-occupied islands.^[1] It is located just to the west of the northern part of Dangerous Ground, and is 22 miles (35 km) southeast of Philippine-occupied Thitu Island (Pag-asa) and 22 miles (35 km) north-northeast of Taiwan-occupied Itu Aba Island.^[2]

The island is administered by the Philippines as part of Kalayaan, Palawan.

The island is also claimed by the People's Republic of China, the Republic of China (Taiwan) and Vietnam.

Environment[]

The island fringes the Loaita Bank, shoals and reefs.^[3] Its calcarenite outcrop is visible along its western side at low tide. The present shape of the island indicates sand buildup along its eastern side. The anchor-shaped side will eventually connect with the northern portion as the sand buildup continues, thereby creating another mini-lagoon in the process. The presence of migrating sea birds adds to the high phosphorus content of the island's sand. Occasionally, giant sea turtles lay their eggs on the island. The island is covered with mangrove bushes, above which rise coconut palms and other small trees.

History[]

On 22 May 1963, a sovereignty stele was rebuilt on Loaita Island by crew members of the three vessels Huong Giang, Chi Lang and Ky Hoa of the South Vietnam.^[4]

Several Philippine soldiers have been stationed on the island since 1968 when the Philippines occupied it. There are only a few structures, which serve as shelters for the soldiers.

The soldiers also guard the nearby Lankiam Cay (Panata) which lies about 8 miles (13 km) to the east-northeast. The cay is under observation from a tall structure on the island, and the Philippine soldiers also regularly visit it.

and Loaita Cay (Melchora Aquino), which are distinct from Kota, lie 5 miles (8.0 km) northwest and 1.5 miles (2.4 km) east-northeast. These are unoccupied features, but are also largely controlled by the Philippines.