Commentary: The Coming Global Disorder
I do not know why they are bleating about the Paracel Islands for? It is, and always has been, a part of China. This fact has been recognised in the past by Germany, France, the UK, the USA and Japan.
Vietnams interest stems from the fact that when the French ran Viet Nam they invaded The Paracel Islands. The Japanese kicked them out during their advance in 1942 even they were not at war with Vichy France. They were surrendered back to China after the war which is the Taiwanese claim for them but by then the Communists had taken over them as part of the civil war. That is the basis of the Peoples Republic's claim.
The Vietnamese had a go at getting them again and were repelled quite easily. It led to a very embarrassed American adviser doing the walk from China to Hong Kong over the Lo Wu bridge.
Try Google Earthing Woody Island Paracel Islands and you will be left in no doubt about who owns it.