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Vietnam's Strategic Maneuvering in the South China Sea: An Unseen Power Play

Vietnam has been stepping up its military infrastructure in the South China Sea, notably with the rapid construction of artificial islands. This move appears to be a calculated response to China's dominance in the region's territorial claims. While China has long been known for its extensive island-building activities—creating fortified platforms capable of holding warships, aircraft, and heavy weaponry—Vietnam has now become a significant player, building its own network of artificial islands that span over 2,200 acres across 21 islands in the Spratly chain. In comparison, China controls only seven of these artificial islands, though it maintains many more elsewhere.