Great Wall of Sand

proper noun

A series of uniquely large-scale land reclamation projects by the People's Republic of China in the Spratly Islands, South China Sea from late 2013 to late 2016.

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Meanings

proper nounthe Great Wall of Sand
  1. A series of uniquely large-scale land reclamation projects by the People's Republic of China in the Spratly Islands, South China Sea from late 2013 to late 2016.

Origin

In allusion to the Great Wall of China. First used in March 2015 by US Admiral Harry Harris, commander of the Pacific Fleet.

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

Great Wall of Sand. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Great%20Wall%20of%20Sand

MLA

“Great Wall of Sand.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Great%20Wall%20of%20Sand. Accessed November 5, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “Great Wall of Sand,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Great%20Wall%20of%20Sand.

Source: Great Wall of Sand on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.