As China steps up the transformation of seven reefs in the Spratly archipelago into sprawling military outposts, other claimants have also strengthened their stakes in the South China Sea, except the Philippines, which has been left behind in developing territories it occupies in the heavily contested waterway. According to the Washington-based Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative, Vietnam has the most number of outposts in the Spratlys, with 49 or 51 spread across 27 islands. Malaysia occupies five islands in the archipelago, while Taiwan occupies just one island, Itu Aba, but it is the largest natural feature in the Spratlys.

Mangosing, F.G. (2018, May 8). PH outdone by rivals in developing reefs. Philippine Daily Inquirer, pp. A1, A5.