Vietnam Increases Land Reclamation in South China Sea, Surpassing Previous Efforts
Vietnam has significantly escalated its dredging and landfill operations in the Spratly Islands in the South China Sea, adding 330 acres of land since December last year, according to a report by the US think tank, the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). This recent expansion surpasses the 120 acres created by Vietnam between 2012 and 2022, making it the second-largest island builder in the Spratly Islands after China. The report cites satellite imagery as evidence.
The Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs has not yet responded to requests for comment on the matter. The Spratly Islands, where Vietnam has been undertaking these land reclamation activities, are also claimed by China.
The South China Sea is a highly contested region, with over $3 trillion worth of trade passing through its waters each year. China, Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan, and Vietnam all have competing claims to some or all of the Spratly Islands.
The most noticeable expansion by Vietnam occurred at Barque Canada Reef, known as Bai Thuyen Chai in Vietnam, where 210 acres of land were created in the past year alone, according to the report produced by CSIS’s Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative (AMTI). The report also revealed that Vietnam has utilized cutter suction dredgers to accelerate its dredging efforts and recently started dredging at two additional features, namely South Reef and Central Reef.
However, the report highlights that Vietnam’s focus has primarily been on dredging and landfill activities, and infrastructure development is yet to commence.
In comparison, China has created over 3,200 acres of land in the area between 2013 and 2016, according to the think tank.
Earlier this year, the Philippines, Malaysia, Taiwan, and Vietnam all rejected a map released by China that delineates its claims to sovereignty in the South China Sea.
Khanh Vu reporting; edited by Robert Birsel.
