Are maps relevant in territorial disputes over ownership of tiny islands in the South China Sea? The question arises because maps are usually drawn unilaterally by one state. This raises the issue of whether such maps showing islands as part of the territory of the state drawing the map can bind another state which also claims the same islands as its territory. In the South China Sea dispute, all the claimant states have unilaterally drawn maps showing that the South China Sea islands belong to them.