China Turns Antelope Reef Into 6-Sq-Km Island as Vietnam Expands 11 Sq Km in South China Sea
Updated
Updated · BBC.com · Jun 3
China Turns Antelope Reef Into 6-Sq-Km Island as Vietnam Expands 11 Sq Km in South China Sea
3 articles · Updated · BBC.com · Jun 3
Summary
Six months of dredging turned Antelope Reef from a mostly submerged speck into a 6-sq-km crescent island, with dozens of vessels in its lagoon and signs China may be preparing another military-grade runway.
That buildout appears aimed less at the Philippines than at Vietnam, which has reclaimed land around at least 20 reefs over three years, added 11 harbours and now controls more than 11 sq km of new land.
The Philippines is also hardening its positions, expanding the runway and coastguard base on Pagasa Island and reinforcing the BRP Sierra Madre at Second Thomas Shoal despite repeated Chinese harassment.
Asean's long-running push for a binding South China Sea code of conduct has stalled, while China has ignored a 2016 Hague ruling against its nine-dash-line claims and kept overwhelming rivals with coastguard and militia patrols.
The result is a widening reclamation race in which rival claimants are fortifying what they already hold, accepting that China remains the dominant power on the water.
With new missile deals and island fortresses, how are nations preparing for the next South China Sea conflict?
Beyond military bases, how will this island-building race permanently alter global trade and international law?
As artificial islands rise from the sea, what irreversible ecological damage is being permanently sealed in concrete?
South China Sea 2025-2026: China and Vietnam’s Island Militarization, Environmental Crisis, and Escalating Regional Arms Race
Overview
Between 2025 and 2026, China rapidly expanded Antelope Reef in the Paracel Islands, aiming to strengthen its control over the South China Sea. This transformation is set to make Antelope Reef one of China’s most important strategic outposts, extending its military reach closer to Vietnam. During construction, China’s dredging fleet systematically deactivated AIS transponders, violating maritime safety rules and hiding the true scale of the project. These actions have significantly reinforced China’s hold on the Paracel Islands and highlight its ongoing efforts to project power and secure dominance in the region.