Vietnam has constructed 21 artificial islands in the disputed Spratly Islands since 2021, creating 2,200 acres of artificial land compared to China's 4,000 acres, according to CSIS. Satellite imagery shows Vietnam expanded to eight new features in 2025, building munitions storage, a two-mile-long airstrip, and defensive trenches. AMTI estimated Vietnam created 70 percent as much artificial land as China, with over 21 percent of global trade worth $3.37 trillion transiting thr