China aggressively building islands on reefs claimed by Philippines

China is reportedly proceeding with the construction of artificial islands on at least two reefs, which are claimed by the Philippines, despite Beijing promising to end some work soon.

Mayor Eugenio Bito-onon of Kalayaan Islands, which falls under Philippine’s control, said that he saw Chinese land reclamation activity going on in ‘full swing,’ with many dredgers and huge cranes visible near Subi Reef, reports The Guardian.

He noted that it was ‘full-blast, massive and incredible’ construction and added that it would take months before the Chinese completed the work.

In the middle part of the artificial island, a three kilometre landfill is taking the shape of a runway, Bito-onon said.

It is one of the seven reefs and tolls in the disputed South China Sea where both the U.S. and the Philippines have expressed concern against China’s aggressive island-building, which they claim could be used to base military planes and navy ships to intimidate other claimants.