China has significantly increased its land reclamation activities on Antelope Reef, a disputed shoal in the South China Sea. Satellite images indicate a substantial expansion of the reef's surface area. The images, shared by Damien Symon of The Intel Lab, show over 30 vessels, including dredgers and construction support ships, operating within the reef's lagoon.

This development marks a notable escalation in China's land reclamation efforts in the South China Sea, following a more than 10-year hiatus from such activities. Antelope Reef, located approximately 400km from Sanya and 1,000km from Da Nang, is situated near Woody Island, which serves as China's administrative center for the South China Sea.

The resurgence of land reclamation at Antelope Reef raises concerns among neighboring countries and maritime security observers. The strategic location of the reef underscores China's continued assertiveness in the region, despite international criticism and legal challenges over its territorial claims in the South China Sea.