Vietnam condemns China’s illegal land reclamation at Antelope Reef, enhancing its military presence in the South China Sea.
Key Points
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Vietnam Condemns China’s Actions:
- Vietnam condemned China’s land reclamation at Antelope Reef in the disputed Paracel Islands, calling it illegal.
- The Vietnamese Foreign Ministry emphasized activities there are invalid without Vietnam’s permission.
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U.S. Think Tank Analysis:
- The Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative reported China’s reclamation could make Antelope Reef its largest feature in the South China Sea.
- Satellite imagery shows construction for a potential runway, expanding China’s military presence.
- Strategic and Legal Implications:
- China maintains its claim over the Paracels, countering international protests.
- Despite expansion, legality under international law remains questionable, highlighting ongoing territorial disputes.
Vietnam has officially condemned China’s land reclamation activities at Antelope Reef in the contested Paracel Islands, a move considered illegal by Hanoi. A recent report by the Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative (AMTI), a part of the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), highlights accelerated efforts by China in transforming Antelope Reef into potentially the largest feature in the South China Sea. Satellite imagery analyzed by AMTI suggests the possibility of constructing a 9,000-foot runway on the reclaimed land, enhancing China’s military capabilities in the region.
China’s Foreign Ministry reasserted its claim over the Paracels, known in Mandarin as Xisha Qundao, emphasizing their sovereignty and the necessity of constructions to improve local infrastructure and economic conditions. Historically, China gained control over the Paracels following a 1974 naval conflict with South Vietnam. The Paracel Islands remain a point of contention, contributing to ongoing regional disputes over overlapping territorial and maritime claims.
Recent reports detail significant dredging activities at Antelope Reef, where initial construction, including small structures, a helipad, and foundations for larger facilities, has been noted alongside substantial reclamation efforts. These activities could enable a more substantial Coast Guard and maritime militia presence, aligning with China’s strategic positioning in the South China Sea.
Antelope Reef’s strategic location, about 162 nautical miles from China’s Sanya Port and 216 nautical miles from Vietnam’s Da Nang, underscores its importance. However, according to legal experts like Josue Raphael J. Cortez from De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde, such expansions do not necessarily strengthen China’s legal claims under international laws governing maritime territories.
Source link : Vietnam Protests China’s Development at Disputed Reef in South China Sea