China Builds Rapidly on Antelope Reef as Vietnam Expands South China Sea Holdings

China has undertaken an exceptionally swift land reclamation project at Antelope Reef, located within the contested Paracel Islands. Within a mere six months, millions of tonnes of sand have been dredged, transforming a previously submerged reef into a 6-sq-km expanse of land, complete with nascent structures. This rapid expansion, employing powerful cutter suction dredgers, potentially signals Beijing's intent to construct further military infrastructure, despite existing facilities nearby on Woody Island.

This aggressive development follows years of China asserting its expansive territorial claims in the South China Sea, or East Sea as it is known in Vietnam, by converting reefs into militarised islands. While China controls the Paracels since 1974, and previously built airfields and military bases on Spratly reefs like Mischief, Fiery Cross, and Subi, its latest actions appear to be a direct message to Vietnam.

H2>Vietnam's Parallel Reclamation Efforts

Vietnam, a fellow claimant, has formally protested China's Antelope Reef construction but has simultaneously accelerated its own land reclamation efforts. Over the past three years, Vietnam has dredged around 20 reefs, creating 11 new harbours and reclaiming approximately 11 sq km of land, roughly half the area China controls. This suggests a shift in strategy, with Vietnam prioritising tangible territorial gains in the absence of an effective diplomatic resolution.

Analysts suggest China's intensified activity at Antelope Reef serves as a reminder to Vietnam of Beijing's dominance, particularly as Vietnam has increasingly challenged Chinese actions in the region, including oil and gas exploration. Ray Powell, Director of Sealight, noted that Vietnam had been