Since 2013, China has decided to reclaim seven artificial islands in the South China Sea to strengthen defense and maintenance of the South China Sea***, one of which is Dongmen Reef in the Spratly Islands. Nearly a decade on, what has changed at Eastgate Reef?
What is the status of the construction of Dongmen Island?Why is Vietnam called the "great enemy"?Located on Dongmen Reef, Dongmen Island is one of the first seven artificial islands in China to be reclaimed and an important part of the South China Sea defense system. It is guarding the stability of the South China Sea
It plays an important role in maintaining territorial integrity. However, although Dongmen Island was reclaimed from Dongmen Reef, it is far less than Dongmen Reef. According to the data, the reef area of Dongmen Reef is about 2 square kilometers, while the area of Dongmen Island is only 008 km²,
It is the smallest of the seven artificial islands. However, despite its small size, Dongmen Island is very well built. According to records, the construction of Dongmen Island began in the 90s of the last century, when Vietnam invaded the islands and reefs in the Jiuzhang group of reefs in an attempt to use these bases to gradually encroach on the South China Sea.
It is worth noting that the construction of Dongmen Island was indeed aimed at safeguarding national interests and maritime security, but this action also angered Vietnam. Vietnam sees China's actions as an encroachment on its territory and therefore regards the construction of Dongmen Island as a "great enemy".
The designation reflects the complexity and tensions of the South China Sea dispute and highlights the geopolitical challenges facing China in the South China Sea. In order to resist the invasion of Vietnam, China has carried out the construction of islands and reefs in the Jiuzhang Reef, and its East Gate Reef has become a key project. At that time,
China's scientific and technological strength is limited, and it is difficult to carry out sand reclamation or land construction, so it can only build simple stilt houses as a garrison platform for soldiers. However, due to the harsh weather conditions at sea and limited construction conditions, the first generation of stilt houses were soon abandoned. Subsequently,
China has successively built the second and third generations of stilt houses, and gradually upgraded the simple buildings to cement platforms, laying the foundation for the subsequent construction of Dongmen Island. It is understood that the area of the cement platform is only about 380 square meters, which can only meet the rest and training needs of soldiers.
At that time, China did not have the ability to build more facilities on the platform, such as watermakers, signal towers and other equipment, and even the daily necessities of soldiers needed to be transported regularly, and the living conditions were very difficult. It was not until later that China carried out the land reclamation project
As a result, the environment of Dongmen Island has been significantly improved. Now, Dongmen Island not only has seawater watermakers, signal towers, but also ports and platforms for docking. In order to enrich the life of the soldiers, a number of recreational facilities were also built
Let the soldiers stationed in the garrison be entertained and relaxed in their free time. The soldiers at Eastgate Reef not only planted a lot of greenery and vegetables in their spare time, turning this barren island into a green gem. The current Dongmen Island is very different from the original Dongmen Reef, and it is impossible to see that it is the same place at all. However, while our country rejoiced at the changes in Dong Mun Island, Vietnam was not satisfied. They not only slandered our invasion of their country's waters, but also called Dong Mun Island Vietnam's "great enemy" and cared very much about it. This has sparked curiosity as to why Vietnam cares so much about Dong Mun IslandIn fact, the reason why Vietnam cares so much about Dongmen Island is that the geographical location of this island is very critical, which has a great deterrent effect on Vietnam's intentions and actions to invade the South China Sea. As we mentioned earlier, Dongmen Island is located inside the Jiuzhang Reef and plays a vital role in the management of the Jiuzhang Reef in China. The Jiuzhang Reef is the most powerful place in the South China Sea. Vietnam has invaded many islands and reefs in the Jiuzhang Reefs, such as Jinghong Island, Ghost Shouting Reef, and Dyeqing Sandbank
Qiongjiao and other forces, their power has spread throughout the Jiuzhang Reef, posing a threat to the security of the entire region. Furthermore, Vietnam may even use the Jiuzhang Reef as a stepping stone and then invade the entire Spratly Seas. Therefore, for Vietnam, the Jiuzhang Reefs are of extremely important geostrategic value. However, with the land reclamation project carried out by our country at Dongmen Reef, the completion of Dongmen Island means that we can invest more forces inside the Jiuzhang Reef and establish a stable military base there.
This makes Vietnam's original plan even more difficult, as China can engage Vietnam in a protracted war of attrition in the Jiuzhang Reef and gradually wear out Vietnam's ability to operate in the region by relying on the country's size. The construction of Dongmen Island not only allowed it to help each other with Chigua Island and curb the expansion of Vietnam's Gui Shou Reef and other islands and reefs, but also at the end of the last century, when Vietnam sent soldiers to invade Ximen Reef and An Lok Reef inside the Jiuzhang Reef, the soldiers stationed on Dongmen Island discovered it in time and stopped the Vietnamese invasion through heavy artillery fire. Subsequently, the soldiers of the United Oxbow Reef pursued the Vietnamese invaders, so that the Vietnamese no longer dared to easily invade the inner islands and reefs of the Jiuzhang Reef. Therefore, the Jiuzhang Reef has been quiet for decades without being re-occupied, and the role of Dongmen Island is indispensable.
This is one of the main reasons why Vietnam regards Dong Mun Island as a great enemy. Another reason is the help of Dongmen Island for local shipping. Located in the South China Sea, the Jiuzhang Reef is located on the Nanhua Waterway, which is an important transportation artery connecting the main waterway of the South China Sea and the international waterway of the South China Sea. Therefore, mastering the Jiuzhang Reef means having the initiative in the South China waterway. In this area, whoever controls the Jiuzhang Reef has control over the entry and exit of ships in the South China Sea. Dongmen Reef, where Dongmen Island is located, is known as the "No. 1 Reef in the South China Sea", and the sea area where it is located is the best waterway in and out of the Jiuzhang Reef, which can well control the ships entering and leaving the Jiuzhang Reef. As a result, a single Dongmun Island neutralizes most of Vietnam's decades-long presence in the Jiuzhang Reefs, making it impossible for Vietnam to invade other reefs.
These are the reasons why Vietnam attaches great importance to Dong Mun Island. Looking up, you can see all the things in the world.