China’s construction of artificial islands in the South China Sea has become a significant geopolitical issue in recent years. These islands, built on disputed reefs in the Spratly Islands, have escalated tensions with neighboring countries—Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei, and Indonesia—each of whom asserts claims of sovereignty over parts of the region. The scale and speed of China’s island-building efforts are unprecedented, far exceeding those of other claimants.
The islands have become central to China’s strategic presence in the South China Sea. Military installations—including airstrips, radar systems, and missile defenses—have been constructed on several islands, leading to rising concerns about China’s military objectives in the region. This militarization has prompted alarm among other claimant nations and increased anxieties about the broader security of the region.
Located in the South China Sea, over 3,000 acres of artificial islands called Spratly Islands were created for industrial and military purposes.
The 5 main islands are
- Fiery Cross Reef
- Cuarteron Reef
- Gaven Reef
- Johnson South Reef
- Johnson North Reef
1. Fiery Cross Reef/Yangzhou Jiao: also known as “Northwest Investigator Reef”, it is a militarized reef occupied and controlled by China as part of Sansha of Hainan Province and is also claimed by the Republic of China.
Coordinates: 9°33’05″N 112°53’06″E
2019 2020 2022
2. Cuarterol Reef/Huayang Jiao: is a reef at the east end of the London Reefs in the Spratly Islands of the South China Sea. It is occupied and controlled by China (PRC) (as part of Sansha), and also claimed by the Philippines, Vietnam (as part of Truong Sa), and Taiwan.
Coordinates: 8°51’56″N 112°49’44″E
2019 2022
3. Gaven Reef/Nanxun Jiao: A group of two reefs in the Tizard Bank of the Spratly Islands in the South China Sea. They are occupied and controlled by China (PRC) as part of Sansha, and claimed by Taiwan (ROC), the Philippines, and Vietnam.
Coordinates: 10°12’26″N 114°13’19″E
2019 2020 2023
4. The Johnson South Reef: Is another island consisting of the Spratly Islands that has been occupied by the People’s Republic of China since 1988.
Coordinates: 9°42’56″N 114°17’10″E
2019 2020 2023
5. Johnson North Reef/Collins Reef: Collins Reef was first possessed by Vietnam in 1988 located northwest of the Johnson South Reef. Currently, the island is also claimed by China and Taiwan.
Coordinates: 9°46’25″N 114°15’19″E
2019 2020 2021
Beyond the geopolitical tensions, the environmental impact of these artificial islands has been profound. Large-scale dredging and land reclamation have severely damaged coral reefs, leading to widespread sedimentation that disrupts marine ecosystems and harms fisheries. The destruction of these vital marine environments could have long-term consequences for biodiversity and the livelihoods of those dependent on the sea’s resources.
The implications of China’s island-building activities extend beyond regional disputes. The South China Sea is one of the world’s most crucial shipping routes, and any disruption to its stability could result in significant economic consequences, both regionally and globally. As the situation develops, the international community continues to monitor China’s actions, which pose both strategic and environmental challenges in an already volatile region.
