Vietnam Completes Militarized Spratly Islands Reclamation Challenging China in South China Sea

Vietnam has significantly advanced its military presence in the Spratly Islands by completing extensive land reclamation and fortification projects, transforming previously simple outposts into heavily militarized bases that challenge China's dominance in the South China Sea. As of early 2025, Vietnam reclaimed 1.343 hectares, narrowing the gap with China's 1,882 hectares, with key reefs now hosting hardened ammunition depots and missile systems such as the VCS-01 Trường Sơn coastal defense missiles. This expansion includes at least eight newly reclaimed reefs, shifting Vietnam's presence from rudimentary pillbox positions to a fortified island chain, and marking its most substantial escalation in the region to date. China has condemned these activities as illegal and has vowed to take necessary measures to counter Vietnam's actions, reiterating its claim over the Spratly Islands, while several Southeast Asian countries continue to dispute China's territorial assertions. The heightened militarization and reclamation efforts by Vietnam, alongside ongoing tensions with China and the Philippines, underscore the growing risk of conflict and the shifting balance of power in the strategically vital South China Sea. Satellite imagery and analyses from U.S. think tanks confirm Vietnam's rapid progress in island building, which now approaches 70% of China's scale, signaling a bold attempt to reshape the regional security framework.