Opinion | South China Sea: Vietnam’s clandestine island-building is a threat to maritime cooperation with China
- While Vietnam urges other claimants to halt reclamation work, it quietly continues its own development in the Paracel and Spratly islands, while playing the victim with regard to China. This must stop
Vietnam recently approved a seaport development plan to build modern ports by 2030, including in the disputed Paracel and Spratly islands, to meet its trade needs. Soon after, satellite images revealed fresh reclamation in the contested Spratly Islands of Sand Cay, Namyit Island and Pearson Reef.
At the western end of Namyit Island, more than 17,000 sq m is estimated to have been added recently while a long channel has been dug from the southwest end of Pearson Reef, where excavators and a barge dock were reportedly seen.
Of all the South China Sea claimants, Vietnam occupies the largest number of Spratly features and is thought to be the first to build on them and deploy weapons.
Vietnam uses double standards in the disputed South China Sea: urging others to halt reclamation and other work while continuing its own. Over the past few years, it has been upgrading facilities and equipment in the Spratlys, including reportedly newer and longer-range weapons systems.
