Vietnam accelerates land building in disputed South China Sea

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00:00Vietnam is moving fast in the South China Sea. Satellite images show Hanoi building new land

00:07across the Spratly Islands, and analysts say it could soon surpass China in the sheer amount

00:13of territory reclaimed in the disputed region. The Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative

00:22reports that Vietnam has expanded at eight reefs this year alone. All 21 Vietnamese outposts in the

00:31Spratlys now include man-made land, a big jump from just Pillbox Outposts a few years ago. The

00:38new islands show ammunition depots, clusters of buildings, and an 8,000-foot runway on Bark Canada

00:45Reef that is also being expanded. Most of the additions appear to focus on harbors,

00:51designed to keep Vietnam's Navy and Coast Guard at sea for longer patrols. China carried out its own

00:59massive buildup between 2013 and 2017, creating seven artificial islands, at least three with

01:07missile systems and fighter jet facilities. Beijing now says Vietnam's work is illegal. A foreign

01:14ministry spokesperson warned China will take necessary measures to defend its claims.

01:20Six countries dispute the Spratlys, but Vietnam and China control the largest footprints.

01:27Some analysts warn that accelerated land development risks further militarization

01:32and ecological damage in one of the world's busiest trade routes.

01:37For more of our unbiased trade fact reporting, download the SAN mobile app today.