At the end of September 2023, Vietnamese sand dredgers swaggered into Bai Jiao, and the Vietnamese side also released this image to show their land reclamation in the South China Sea.
There's a lot of incredible detail in that. For example, is Baijiao in the South China Sea not the territory of our country? What does it matter to Vietnam? Why did he reclaim land in Baijiao? Is this act of land reclamation reasonable?
Cypress Reef: The helm island of the Spratly Islands
Baijiao is a coral atoll in China's Nansha Islands, wide at both ends and narrow in the middle, slender and elongated, located in the south, 8 degrees 04-17 minutes north latitude, 113 degrees 15-23 minutes east longitude.
Although the reef area of Baijiao is only 66.4 square kilometers, ranking third among the more than 230 islands and reefs in the Nansha Islands, its reef area of 49.5 square kilometers is the largest among the islands and reefs in the Nansha Islands.
Cypress Reef has been the territory of the mainland since ancient times. Although the reef as a whole is located below the surface of the water most of the time, at low tide, there will be reefs and sandbars coming out of the water, the most prominent are the "birdfish ingots" at the north end and the "monoslide" at the south end, which are about 5 meters high, which is equivalent to a landmark on the sea.
According to historical records, during the Han Dynasty, fishermen from the South China Sea engaged in fishing production here, and until the 60s of the 20th century, Baijiao was the traditional fishing ground of the mainland.
Until the 70s of the last century, the marine resources of the South China Sea were continuously explored, and the strategic position of the South China Sea was also continuously highlighted, and the islands and reefs of the South China Sea began to be coveted by neighboring countries. Since there is no land on the reef, the fishermen come to leave after fishing, and in 1978, Malaysia took the lead in occupying the reef after a long period of ungarrisoned conditions.
Later, due to the difficulty of defending the reef, Malaysia took the initiative to evacuate the reef. In 1987, UNESCO commissioned the mainland to establish an oceanographic observatory in the Spratly Islands. However, two months before the mainland's research ships inspected Bai Jiao, Vietnam sent troops to seize Bai Jiao, and a year later, it also invested heavily in the construction of three two-story circular pillboxes made of reinforced concrete on the northern, central, and southern reefs of Bai Jiao. Since then, the reef has been under Vietnamese control.
Why is Cypress Reef so important?
From the perspective of the entire South China Sea, Baijiao is bordered by Zhongsha Islands and Nansha Islands to the north, Zengmu Shoal and its surrounding islands and reefs to the south, Vietnam and Thailand to the west, and the coastline of the Philippines to the east.
The reef is also close to the Strait of Malacca, an important waterway connecting the Pacific and Indian Oceans, and is an indispensable transportation artery for countries around the world. Cypress Reef is located at this choke point, and its strategic significance is self-evident.
Baijiao is located in the South China Sea, which is rich in fishery resources, and is a traditional fishing ground for Chinese fishermen, with a variety of marine life species and abundant fishery resources. The reef itself is a large reef area, which provides a good operating space for the fishing industry. At the same time, the water quality around Cypress Reef is clear and rich in nutrients, which provides a good environment for the growth of marine life.
Third, the South China Sea, where Baijiao is located, is one of China's three major strategic successor areas for oil and sea. In the 70s of the 20th century, the four major oil-rich areas near Baijiao were discovered one after another, namely Wan'an Basin, Zengmu Basin, Sabah Basin and Lile Basin, which means that the oil resources near Baijiao are very rich. According to the existing geological data and exploration results, this area has the conditions for the formation of large oil and gas fields.
Due to the reef's geographical location and resource richness, some countries have sought to contain China's influence and maximize their own interests by controlling the reef.
Especially for the mainland, the oil resources of Baijiao are of great strategic value for national energy security and economic development. At the same time, the seven islands and reefs stationed by the mainland in the Nansha Islands are mainly distributed in the central and northern parts of the island, and its control over the location in the southwest and south is relatively weak.
From a geopolitical point of view, some countries may take certain actions or strengthen their military presence in disputed areas for security concerns or other reasons. Therefore, China's measures to strengthen patrols in the South China Sea, improve its ability to respond to emergencies, and promote international cooperation are of great strategic significance.
So what is the current state of development at Cypress Reef?
In addition to building three pillboxes, Vietnam also stationed 40 troops on Baijiao all year round. Vietnamese fishermen have long been fishing at Bai Reef.
Now, after years of construction, a number of bunkers have been upgraded, and the bunkers have been built to three floors, of which there are already 5 cement bunkers, and the garrison has increased to hundreds of people. In addition, Vietnam has dug a deep-water channel connecting to the inner lagoon on the southeast side of the previously closed Bai Jiao reef to allow construction into the lagoon.
At the same time, Vietnam has also carried out illegal reclamation of Bai Jiao, but at present, Vietnam's land reclamation technology is not developed, and the sand and gravel are transported locally, mainly relying on mechanical and semi-mechanized equipment, and even for a long time, the construction is carried out by manpower.
This method is inefficient, the transportation cost is high, and the land filled in this way is easily blown away by the sea breeze and waves. However, a large number of coral reefs in Cypress Reef were inevitably destroyed and the ecosystem was destroyed. And once Vietnam introduces European technology and equipment, the efficiency of its land reclamation will be greatly improved.
Baijiao is part of China's inherent territory and is of great significance to China's national security and strategic interests.
By defending the reef, it can demonstrate China's sovereignty and territorial integrity in the South China Sea, and at the same time, it can also demonstrate to the outside world China's determination and will to firmly safeguard its national interests. Moreover, maintaining peace and stability in Baijiao and its adjacent waters will also play a positive role in promoting peace, stability, development and prosperity in the entire South China Sea, and can promote the sustainable development and common prosperity of the South China Sea region.
Therefore, since the 80s, China has established marine observation stations at Fiery Cross Reef, Liumen Reef and Huayang Reef, and dispatched coast guards to patrol the South China Sea. And in the face of increasing tensions, we should also respond calmly.
First, China will continue to strengthen patrols in the South China Sea and improve its ability to respond to emergencies. Through regular patrols and law enforcement activities, illegal encroachment is detected and stopped in a timely manner, and the country's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests are resolutely safeguarded.
Second, China should actively engage in dialogue and consultation with neighboring countries to seek ways to peacefully resolve disputes in the South China Sea. Promote mutual understanding and trust through multilateral cooperation mechanisms and bilateral negotiations, and promote the proper resolution of disputed issues.
On the premise of ensuring national security, we can also actively promote resource development and cooperation in the South China Sea. Through the rational development and utilization of fishery resources and mineral resources, it will not only promote local economic development and improve people's livelihood, but also help enhance China's comprehensive strength and international influence in the South China Sea.
Another is to strengthen propaganda and education among the people to enhance their awareness and understanding of the South China Sea issue. By soliciting public opinions and participation, we can enhance people's attention and participation in the South China Sea issue, so as to form a good atmosphere for the whole society to pay attention to and support the work in the South China Sea.
In short, in the face of the current complex and changeable challenges, we must firmly safeguard our own rights and interests, actively promote the settlement of disputes through negotiations, and hope that one day we can see the return of Baijiao to the embrace of the mainland.
Resources:
"On Vietnam's Measures to Internationalize the South China Sea Issue: Its Relationship with Vietnam's Marine Economy Strategy: Southeast Asian Studies, No. 6, 2010"
South China Sea Issues and Regional Security: A Western Scholar's Perspective