Taiwan Discovers Gas Hydrates in South China Sea

A Taiwanese oceanic research team has discovered gas hydrate deposits in waters south of the Pratas Islands during a recent mission to the South China Sea, Focus Taiwan has reported citing a marine geophysicist overseeing the project.

According to Hsu Shu-kun of National Central University's College of Earth Science, the existence of the gas hydrate deposits was proven through analysis of seismic reflection and sub-bottom profiling data, Focus Taiwan added.

The news report said that further investigation would be needed to determine the extent of deposits.

The South China Sea, which is believed to sit atop vast deposits of natural gas and oil, is claimed in whole or in part by Taiwan, China, the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia and Brunei.

Taiwan currently controls the Pratas Islands and Taiping Island -- the largest islet in the Spratlys archipelago.