For years, the South China Sea narrative has been dominated by images of dredgers and military outposts—China building artificial islands, and Vietnam quietly following suit to secure its claims. Headlines have focused on sovereignty, militarization, and the looming specter of conflict. Yet, as great power rivalry deepens and climate change looms over maritime ecosystems, Vietnam is quietly reshaping its strategy. The newest storyline is not about reclaiming more islands, but about reclaiming legitimacy—through marine protected areas (MPAs).
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