Vietnam is aggressively reclaiming islands and reefs in the South China Sea, aiming to militarize and fortify artificial islands.
Japanese and South Korean media have also paid attention. It is reported that Vietnam is expanding artificial island construction in the South China Sea. There are conflicts between Vietnam and China over territorial rights, and some analysts believe that its scale will soon exceed that of China. Vietnam is building artificial islands at a frenzied pace.
Reuters reported on the 24th, citing a recent report from the Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative (AMTI), a subsidiary of the U.S. think tank "Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS)." Vietnam began seriously constructing artificial islands in 2021. By June 2024, it had nearly reached half the area created by China. The report assessed: "As of March, the area of artificial islands built by Vietnam was about 70% of China's. Recent expansions at eight locations indicate that it may soon catch up with or even surpass China."
Additionally, satellite images have confirmed that military infrastructure such as ammunition depots and storage facilities have been installed on some of the artificial islands reclaimed by Vietnam.
Vietnam currently has a 1300-meter-long runway in the Spratly Islands, which can accommodate fighter jets and small transport aircraft. However, it is reported that there are plans to extend this runway to 3000 meters, allowing even large transport aircraft and reconnaissance planes to take off and land.
Original: www.toutiao.com/article/1841425103401024/
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