Malaysia complains to Vietnam over South China Sea reef expansion, sources say

In a unique diplomatic increase no involving China, Malaysia has sent a complaint letter to Vietnam over its alleged development of a South China Sea coast that both nations claim are their own.

Another of the numerous disputes in the corporate waterway, which China claims to be in charge of, is brought to light by the move, which involves Beijing being frequently involved in altercations with the Philippines and occasionally having irregular rows with Vietnam.

The most disputed functions are around the Spratly island, where China, Taiwan, Malaysia, Vietnam, Brunei and the Philippines all have different claims and degrees of activity.

The two officials said the Malaysian email was sent to Vietnam’s foreign government in early October, declining to be named more accurately because the issue was vulnerable.

According to satellite images released last month by the Center for Strategic and International Studies, a Washington-based think tank, the issue was about Vietnam’s reported artificial development of the Barque Canada Reef, an archipelago in the Spratlys where Vietnam has constructed numerous system.

Vietnam was reportedly building an airport on the coast in later October, according to a report from Radio Free Asia.

Vietnam’s foreign government did not reply to a request for comment. Malaysia’s unusual government did not comment.

One of the officers claimed that the letter did not follow those papers and only criticizes the expansion of the archipelago, not the construction of infrastructure.

As countries try to defend their territorial statements and demonstrate that dozens of islands and features can support human habitation, the little Spratly islands have seen major construction in recent years.

China’s actions have attracted the most attention, with seven territories built on covered islands, some equipped with planes, boats, power towers and missile chargers.

Although territorial disputes between Malaysia and Vietnam are uncommon, Malaysia has frequently expressed concern over what it claims are Vietnamese fishermen encroaching on its Exclusive Economic Zone, which has resulted in the arrest of some crew members.