Spratly Islands

• Vietnam has significantly expanded island-building activities in parts of the Spratly Islands it claims.

• According to a recent U.S. think tank report, Vietnam’s construction efforts are expected to match or even surpass China’s scale of land reclamation and infrastructure development in the area.

About the Spratly Islands

• Location: South China Sea, north of insular Malaysia, roughly between Vietnam and the Philippines.

• Geographical Spread: Covers around 158,000 sq miles (409,000 sq km) of ocean.

• Nature: Comprises reefs, shoals, atolls, and small islets, many of which are submerged at high tide.

• Key Islets:

  • Itu Aba: Largest natural islet (~90 acres / 36 hectares).

  • Spratly Island (Storm Island): About 900 x 1,500 feet (275 x 450 meters).

• Wildlife: Mainly turtles and seabirds; no permanent residents.

• Climate: Tropical.

Historical Context

• France controlled the islands from 1933 to 1939.

• Japan occupied and militarized the islands during World War II.

• Post-WWII: Chinese Nationalists took control of Itu Aba, maintaining it even after moving to Taiwan in 1949.

• Japan renounced claims in 1951, triggering overlapping claims by China, Taiwan, Vietnam, and the Philippines (since 1955).

Claims & Disputes

• Claimants: China, Taiwan, and Vietnam claim the entire archipelago; Malaysia and the Philippines claim parts.

• Brunei: No territorial claim but claims an exclusive economic zone (EEZ) covering part of the area.

• The Spratly Islands are a hotspot for geopolitical tensions due to strategic location, maritime routes, and possible natural resources.