Vietnam is constructing a network of artificial islands to counter the Chinese Armed Forces, primarily in the disputed Spratly Islands. According to a study by the Wall Street Journal (WSJ), satellite imagery reveals a rapid expansion of these islands from 2020 to 2024, with a tenfold increase in numbers. The islands are being developed to host military aircraft, anti-ship systems, and air defense systems. Expansion efforts involve building harbors, defensive trenches, and potentially extending runways for military purposes. These efforts parallel China’s activities in the region, which also involve constructing artificial islands with military infrastructure.

The Spratly Islands are contested by several countries, including Vietnam, Taiwan, China, Malaysia, Brunei, and the Philippines. However, China has been the most assertive in expanding its territorial claims. The WSJ notes that China has not yet commented on Vietnam’s activities. Additionally, as part of the Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative of June 2024, it was reported that Vietnam expanded its holdings by 2.8 square kilometers across ten sites since November 2023, while China has added 18.8 square kilometers. The ongoing territorial disputes are driving some countries in the region to unite against China’s influence. This

ملخص الأخبار

• الصين لم تعلق بعد على أنشطة فيتنام، مما قد يشير إلى مواجهة محتملة مع الفلبين.
• مبادرة الشفافية البحرية الآسيوية ذكرت أن فيتنام زادت مساحتها بـ 9.5 كيلومترات مربعة إجمالياً منذ نوفمبر 2023.
• الفلبين تعتزم الحفاظ على وجودها في المياه المتنازع عليها في بحر الصين الجنوبي رغم مطالب واستفزازات الصين.