Updated March 29, 2025, 06:00 a.m. ET.
BANGKOK – Vietnam reclaimed land at a record pace in the Spratly island chain in the disputed South China Sea last year and recently finished new features on the islands, the latest study shows.
However, China still dominated in dredging and creating artificial islands, according to U.S. think tank, Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative, or AMTI.
Since June 2024, Vietnam created 641 acres (260 hectares) of new land, bringing the total to just over 3,300 acres (1,335 hectares), nearly three quarters of China’s total. It also built eight new harbors.
Vietnam, China and Taiwan all claim the entire archipelago of more than 100 islands. Parts of the Spratlys are also claimed by Malaysia and the Philippines.
Hanoi finished off landfills on Barque Canada Reef, Discovery Great Reef, Ladd Reef and South Reef last year. Work on Namyit Island and Sand Cay were also part of the military buildup that provided outposts to back up its claims to the island chain.
Last year, Vietnam built an 8,000 foot (244 meter) runway on Barque Canada Reef, allowing most military aircraft to land, triggering protests from China.
It could also build airstrips on Ladd, Pearson and Tennent reefs, according to AMTI, which said Hanoi is likely to add more military features in the months to come. Eight of the 10 newly created features include harbors, allowing its navy to match China’s year-round patrols in the Spratlys.
One Vietnam watcher described the AMTI report as “myopic” given that China already has large runways and military facilities on its “Big Three” islands in the South China Sea, Fiery Cross, Mischief and Subi reefs, that dwarf Vietnamese developments.
China’s airstrips can accommodate all kinds of aircraft, and its bases are equipped with sophisticated radar, air defense and anti-ship missile systems, according to Carl Thayer, emeritus professor at the University of New South Wales in Canberra, Australia.
“The AMTI report does not canvass what kinds of naval and air capabilities Vietnam has that could be deployed to the Spratly Islands and how Vietnam could protect these assets from Chinese air and naval forces already in the area,” he said. “In addition, Vietnam would have to construct major logistics and maintenance facilities to support its air and naval assets.”
Thayer argues that the reclamation is economically important because it enhances Vietnam’s ability to exploit its marine resources.
“Vietnam’s broad strategic thinking on developing its land features in the Spratly Islands has been constant – to create an integrated maritime economy linking the development of coastal provinces with the resources in its Exclusive Economic Zone,” he said.
Vietnam has not spoken publicly about its reclamation project other than to say it wanted to protect the reefs and provide typhoon shelters for fishermen.
Updated to add comment from Carl Thayer.
Edited by Stephen Wright and Taejun Kang.