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3w ago

Vietnam’s Spratly Buildout Accelerates, Set to Rival China’s Island Reclamation

New satellite assessments detail fresh dredging at eight reefs this year, drawing Beijing’s objections.

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Landsdowne Reef
Collins Reef in the Spratly Islands in the South China Sea, one of several reefs where Vietnam has been rapidly building up land this year, according to the Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative.
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Overview

  • An AMTI report using MAXAR and Planet Labs imagery shows Vietnam began new dredging in 2025 at eight features, including Alison, Collins, East, Landsdowne and Petley reefs, with further expansion at Amboyna Cay, Grierson Reef and West Reef.
  • All 21 Vietnamese-occupied rocks and low-tide elevations in the Spratlys now include artificial land, marking a comprehensive buildout across Hanoi’s holdings.
  • As of March 2025, Vietnam had created about 70% as much artificial land in the Spratlys as China, and analysts say current projects are likely to match or surpass Beijing’s total.
  • Infrastructure additions include a runway under construction at Barque Canada Reef, multiple large-vessel harbors, defensive berms at several sites and new munitions depots on seven built-up islands.
  • China’s Foreign Ministry condemned the construction as unlawful and warned of measures to safeguard its claims, while experts note Beijing’s focus on standoffs with the Philippines has given Hanoi space to expand and has heightened concerns over militarization and reef damage.