WASHINGTON. Vietnam has rapidly expanded its island-building efforts in the Spratly Islands of the disputed South China Sea and is on track to equal or even surpass China’s extensive reclamation activities, according to a U.S. think tank report released Friday.
The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), through its Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative, said recent satellite images show Vietnam has begun reclamation work on eight new features this year, adding to a campaign that started in 2021. These include Alison Reef, Collins Reef, East Reef, Landsdowne Reef, and Petley Reefs.
The expansion means all 21 Vietnamese-occupied features in the Spratlys now host artificial land. Four years ago, most only had small defense outposts. Additional dredging has also been noted on Amboyna Cay, Grierson Reef, and West Reef, which already contained artificial islands.
“As of March 2025, Vietnam had created about 70 percent as much artificial land in the Spratlys as China had,” the report stated. “Reclamation at these eight new features all but ensures that Vietnam will match, and likely surpass, the scale of Beijing’s island-building.”
China claims nearly the entire South China Sea, overlapping with territorial claims by Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, and Brunei. Beijing’s own large-scale reclamation work has been a source of tension, strongly opposed by the United States and its allies.
The CSIS report also said new infrastructure, including munitions storage, has begun to appear on features nearing completion, such as Barque Canada Reef, Discovery Great Reef, Ladd Reef, Namyit Island, Pearson Reef, Sand Cay, and Tennent Reef. While Vietnam’s expansion appears to limit space for full-length airstrips on most reefs, analysts noted a runway is likely under construction at Barque Canada Reef to complement the country’s sole existing airstrip at Spratly Island.
China’s foreign ministry in February objected to Vietnam’s construction on Barque Canada Reef, calling it Chinese territory. Both China’s and Vietnam’s embassies in Washington did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the CSIS report.
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
- Venus L Peñaflor
- Venus L Peñaflor
- Venus L Peñaflor
- Venus L Peñaflor
