Beijing has vowed to defend its maritime rights after a US report that Vietnam has sped up its island-building efforts in the contested Spratly Islands this year.
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In a report on Friday, the Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative (AMTI), part of the Washington-based Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), said Vietnam had ramped up construction on multiple reefs in 2025.
Responding to the report on Monday, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said the islands “are China’s inherent territory”.
“We firmly oppose construction activities by the relevant country on illegally occupied reefs and will take necessary measures to safeguard our territorial sovereignty and maritime rights,” Guo added.
The Spratlys, known as the Nansha Islands in China, are claimed by various countries, including Vietnam and China, and are a flashpoint in the South China Sea, one of the world’s busiest trade routes.
According to the report, since the start of this year Vietnam has expanded its island-building to eight features previously untouched by its current reclamation programme, which began in 2021.
