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

China claims it expelled Philippine aircraft from disputed Scarborough Shoal airspace, while Manila accuses Beijing of dangerously harassing its planes with fighter jets and helicopters. The back-to-back confrontations mark escalating tensions over one of the South China Sea's most contested features, with both sides warning the other to cease provocations.