Vietnam Expands South China Sea Outposts as Beijing Widens Lead

Vietnam has expanded its outposts in the South China Sea by hundreds of acres over the past year, according to a new report, as Hanoi and Beijing race to reinforce competing territorial claims through land reclamation.

Vietnam has added about 534 acres of land in the Spratly Islands, bringing its total reclaimed area to roughly 2,771 acres, according to the Washington-based Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative. While Hanoi had appeared to be narrowing the gap with China early last year, Beijing has since extended its lead.