Part 4/9:
The responses of neighboring countries vary considerably concerning China's assertiveness. Taiwan and Brunei have largely acquiesced to Chinese claims, with Taiwan avoiding conflict due to fears of escalation, while Brunei relies heavily on China for trade. Malaysia has remained relatively passive, only challenging China during oil and gas exploration activities overlapping its EEZ.
Conversely, Vietnam has taken a more aggressive stance, increasingly mirroring China's methods by expanding its own claims in the Spratly Islands and reclaiming land. Since 2022, it has resurfaced more land than China, a move that has not prompted significant retaliation from Beijing—potentially indicative of Vietnam's importance as a fellow Communist ally.