James Borton
The South China Sea has long been a cauldron of tension and ambition, with overlapping claims from several nations converging in the resource-rich and strategically vital waterway. At the heart of the geopolitical theater is the fraught and historically turbulent relationship between Vietnam and China.
Once allies during the Cold War, the two nations now find themselves on opposing sides of an escalating territorial dispute. Their history of distrust and warfare is evident in the competing narratives and power plays that define their rivalry in the contested waters.
China, with its sweeping “nine-dash line” claim, has aggressively pursued its goal of turning the South China Sea into what many see as a “Chinese lake.”
Through massive land reclamation projects and the construction of artificial islands equipped with runways, missile systems and radar facilities, Beijing has transformed formerly uninhabitable reefs into formidable military outposts.
These efforts, combined with frequent naval patrols and diplomatic strong-arming, underscore China’s determination to assert dominance over the region.
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