Residents of Thitu Island in the South China Sea are closely observing the U.S.-China leadership meeting due to the disputed territory's geopolitical significance.

As U.S. and Chinese leaders meet this week, the world is watching, and so are residents of Thitu Island in the disputed South China Sea, known in the Philippines as the West Philippine Sea. <p>As U.S. and Chinese leaders meet this week, the world is watching, and so are residents of Thitu Island in the disputed South China Sea, known in the Philippines as the West Philippine Sea.</p><img src="https://media.npr.org/include/images/tracking/npr-rss-pixel.png?story=nx-s1-5820733" />