Vietnam has accelerated its island-building activities in the Spratly Archipelago of the South China Sea, reportedly expanding construction to a scale that may match or surpass that of China, according to a US think tank report. This development has drawn condemnation from China, which claims the Nansha Islands (Spratly Islands) as its inherent territory. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun emphasized China's firm opposition to construction on what it describes as illegally occupied reefs and stated that China will take necessary measures to safeguard its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights. Observers note that Vietnam has occupied and militarized more disputed territory in the South China Sea than China and began these activities earlier, although this aspect receives less international attention. The increased pace and scale of Vietnam's artificial island construction represent a notable shift in the dynamics of territorial control in the region.
Vietnam Steps Up Island Building In South China Sea https://t.co/l6fGrVgVMN
🚨 VIETNAM’S ISLAND-BUILDING BLITZ THREATENS TO ECLIPSE CHINA’S GRIP ON THE SOUTH CHINA SEA A quiet storm brews beneath the waves. Vietnam has dramatically accelerated its artificial island construction in the Spratly Archipelago, transforming once barren reefs into sprawling https://t.co/JN3yniPevh
#FMsays Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun stressed the Nansha Islands are China's inherent #territory, firmly opposing construction activities on illegally occupied reefs. #China will take necessary measures to safeguard territorial sovereignty and maritime rights, he added, https://t.co/i7CDGbXOWM