Long-standing historical use by Chinese fishermen was never accompanied by administration; rule of a kind was not exercised until the French established colonial dominion from the late nineteenth century. Some of the Spratly Islands were occupied briefly during the Pacific War by the Japanese, who used them as submarine base facilities.After the war, the Nationalist Chinese government asserted a claim and occupied the largest island of Tai Ping Dao, so challenging France which sought to restore the colonial status quo.