Vietnam Is Quietly Copying China’s Artificial Islands Strategy | WSJ

Summary

Vietnam is rapidly expanding and militarizing islands in the contested Spratly archipelago in the South China Sea. Using similar tactics to China, Vietnam is building military infrastructure, including harbors, trenches, and expanding its air and naval capabilities. This expansion highlights Vietnam's geopolitical balancing act, maintaining relationships with the U.S., China, and Russia while preparing for potential conflicts, particularly with China, which claims much of the region. Despite the environmental impact and potential tensions, Vietnam is strategically enhancing its presence to secure resources and solidify its influence in this crucial waterway.

Takeaways

• 🌍 Vietnam is quietly expanding and militarizing several atolls in the South China Sea, particularly in the Spratly Islands.
• 🏝️ The Spratly Islands are made up of submerged reefs and banks, with Vietnam claiming around 20 of these territories.
• 🔧 In just three years, Vietnam has increased its artificial land by tenfold in the Spratly Islands, utilizing excavators and dredging techniques.
• ⚓ Vietnam is building harbors and military infrastructure, including trenches and artillery placements, enhancing its defense capabilities.
• 🚢 The South China Sea is a crucial waterway for global trade, with about a third of the world's trade passing through it annually.
• 🛢️ The region contains disputed oil, gas, and fisheries resources, leading to multiple overlapping territorial claims by various nations, including China and Vietnam.
• 🇨🇳 China's expansive claims in the South China Sea, defined by its 'nine-dash line,' overlap with Vietnam's exclusive economic zones and those of other nations.
• 💣 Vietnam's expansion mirrors China's past methods of island-building, using cutter suction dredgers to reclaim land, though these methods are environmentally damaging.
• 💼 Despite Vietnam's rapid militarization of the Spratly Islands, China has yet to physically respond to these developments, raising strategic questions.
• 🌐 Vietnam maintains a delicate geopolitical balance, managing relations with the U.S., China, and Russia while preparing for potential future conflicts.

Q & A

What is the significance of the Spratly Islands in the South China Sea?

The Spratly Islands are located in a crucial waterway in the South China Sea, through which around one-third of global trade passes. The area is also rich in disputed oil, gas, and fishery resources, making it highly strategic and contested.

Why is Vietnam expanding its presence in the Spratly Islands?

Vietnam is expanding its presence in the Spratly Islands to strengthen its territorial claims and military capabilities, countering China's influence in the region. It is using similar tactics to China's land reclamation efforts to build up its outposts and defenses.

How has Vietnam increased its land area in the Spratly Islands?

Vietnam has increased its artificial land in the Spratly Islands tenfold in just three years through land reclamation. This process involves using cutter suction dredgers to excavate and deposit material to expand existing reefs and islands.

What is the environmental impact of Vietnam's land reclamation in the Spratly Islands?

The land reclamation process causes significant environmental damage, particularly to coral reefs. Sediment from the dredging process can destroy nearby coral ecosystems, which are vital to the marine environment.

What is the geopolitical importance of Vietnam's expansion in the Spratly Islands?

Vietnam’s expansion highlights its geopolitical strategy of balancing relations with major powers like the U.S., China, and Russia, while also strengthening its position in the South China Sea against China's claims.

Why hasn't China responded to Vietnam's expansion in the Spratly Islands?

China has not physically responded to Vietnam's expansion despite its aggressive tactics against other countries like the Philippines. Analysts speculate this may be because Vietnam's actions are seen as less of an immediate threat, but the situation could change if China begins to view Vietnam's expansion as more concerning.

What are Vietnam’s long-term goals in the Spratly Islands?

Vietnam's long-term goals appear to include strengthening its military presence and maintaining a stronghold in the Spratly Islands to counter China and protect its territorial claims. The development of military infrastructure like trenches and potential air capabilities suggests Vietnam is preparing for a potential future conflict.

What is the significance of the 200-nautical-mile Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)?

The EEZ is a zone extending up to 200 nautical miles from a coastal state’s shoreline, where it has exclusive rights to exploit marine resources like fish, oil, and gas. Several countries, including Vietnam, claim EEZs in the South China Sea, but China’s claim based on the Nine-Dash Line overlaps with these zones.

How does Vietnam's 'bamboo diplomacy' influence its foreign policy in the region?

Vietnam's 'bamboo diplomacy' refers to its strategy of maintaining flexible but firm relationships with competing global powers like the U.S., China, and Russia. This approach allows Vietnam to navigate geopolitical tensions while asserting its interests in the South China Sea.

What military infrastructure has Vietnam built on the Spratly Islands?

Vietnam has built harbors, trenches, defensive positions, and expanded airfields on its outposts in the Spratly Islands. These developments enhance Vietnam's military capabilities, allowing its forces to stay in the region longer and potentially host larger military aircraft in the future.