Kuala Lampur, Aug. 24 -- Recent revelations from the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) highlight a seismic shift in the dynamics of territorial expansion in the South China Sea.

Vietnam, long overshadowed by China's extensive land reclamation campaign, has rapidly accelerated its own island-building efforts in the disputed Spratly Islands.

As of March 2025, Vietnam had generated roughly 70 per cent as much artificial land as China in the Spratlys - and may soon surpass Beijing's scale of reclamation.

This pivot by Vietnam - including dredging and landfill activity on eight fresh features like Alison, Collins, and East Reef, as well as expansions at Amboyna Cay and West Reef - marks a new chapter in the regional cont...