[mensetmanusman]

South China Sea

[boomboomsubban]

The border conflict ongoing for their entire existence? Technology has advanced some of the methods, but not drastically different.

[mensetmanusman]

Building artificial islands in disputed territory and then building non-civilian buildings is drastically different.

[boomboomsubban]

Both involve a hostile takeover of disputed territory. One's a more impressive engineering feat, but not drastically different.

edit may have misread your post, unsure if you're comparing or detailing two steps. China has invaded uninhabited islands and built buildings to stake claims for some time. Building the uninhabited island isn't some drastic change.