Island Building in the South China Sea

by Mirko Giordani

In this paper, we discuss:

• China’s large-scale island building in the South China Sea, creating over 3,200 acres of new land and enabling military power projection;
• The pivotal role of Chinese state-backed companies in dredging and reclamation, and the limited impact of U.S. sanctions on their operations;
• Vietnam’s rapid expansion of its own island-building efforts across multiple reefs, supported by domestic firms and new military infrastructure;
• Regional reactions from the Philippines and Malaysia, which are concerned but reluctant to escalate tensions with Hanoi;
• China’s muted response to Vietnam’s activities, indicating strategic restraint and a preference to avoid opening a new front of confrontation.

Download PDF: Islands South China Sea November 2025