China declared its baselines for its maritime territory on 15 May 1996.[1] The baselines were for the Chinese mainland and also for the Paracel (Xisha) Islands.
The baselines for the mainland consist of a series of straight lines linking 49 basepoints situated on the outer edge along and outer islands off the coast of China. For the Paracel Islands, the baselines consist of a series of straight lines linking 28 basepoints located on the outer islands of the group.