Matching China's Strategy: Vietnam's Reclamation Efforts in the South China Sea

A recent Wall Street Journal (WSJ) report highlighted Vietnam's rapid expansion in the Spratly Islands, showing that artificial land in the area has increased tenfold over the last three years, based on Maxar Technologies' high-resolution satellite imagery.

The report details the construction of harbours, defensive trenches, and possibly extended runways for military use, noting that these actions closely resemble China’s earlier island-building projects, which include military infrastructure such as observation towers and airstrips.

While China has taken a hard stance against the Philippines in their territorial disputes, it has been notably silent regarding Vietnam’s activities.

The Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative (AMTI) stated in June 2024 that Vietnam has added 692 new acres to ten features since November 2023, bringing its total land reclamation to around 2,360 acres—about half of China's 4,650 acres. This marks a significant shift from Vietnam’s previous total of just 329 acres three years ago.

Looking at the photo above: In September 2020, Vietnam's presence on Barque Canada Reef was limited to three small outposts on concrete platforms. By August 2024, after extensive dredging, it became Vietnam's largest feature in the Spratly Islands, with significant development on the northern ring.

In March 2021, Namyit Island spanned 13 acres within a two-mile coral reef. By June 2024, after major work, it became one of Vietnam's largest features in the Spratlys, with a large harbor dredged at the center.

In February 2020, Vietnam's presence on Pearson Reef, a 5.6-mile-long atoll with a coral fringe, was limited to the northeastern tip. By August 2024, after small-scale reclamation began in 2021, extensive land expansion has been completed, including a new harbor in the northeastern ring.

By June 2022, Vietnam had steadily expanded Sand Cay near Taiwan-controlled Itu Aba, with a significant increase in reclamation efforts. By August 2024, Sand Cay grew dramatically from 17 acres to 110 acres.

By June 2022, Vietnam’s presence on Tennent Reef, occupied since 1988, was limited to two small outposts on the western edge. Reclamation began in 2022 in the southeast, and by August 2024, extensive work has connected the original outposts to the newly reclaimed land.

Weather Shelters for Fisherfolks

A September 2024 report from Chatham House by John Pollock and Damien Symon suggests that Vietnam’s expansion is a strategic move aimed at reinforcing its position in the ongoing territorial disputes with China and other claimant nations.

They also speculate that Vietnam may soon station long-range military aircraft at its outposts, indicating futher militarisation. Notably, China has remained silent on these developments, likely due to its focus on tensions with the Philippines over the Second Thomas Shoal, where Manila's ageing warship, the BRP Sierra Madre, is grounded, and possible ideological ties with Vietnam's leadership. 

According to AMTI researchers, Vietnam is still employing cutter-suction and clamshell dredging, a method scientists consider environmentally harmful. This technique, also used by China, has faced criticism in the past. Despite this, many Vietnamese support the island-building as a strategic response to China’s assertiveness in the South China Sea.

Hanoi has been quiet about its reclamation efforts, officially describing them as small projects to build weather shelters for fishermen and prevent erosion, according to journalist Nga Pham. However, Pham believes Vietnam is actually using these projects to militarise the area, since the military is handling the work.

Malaysia, Philippines, Brunei, Taiwan, Vietnam, and China assess claims on the contested Spraty Islands in the South China Sea. 

-Asia Media Centre