The politics of offshore construction in the South China sea

A special report by BBC describes the territorial fight in the South China Sea between the neighboring countries of China, Vietnam and Philippines. The latest move from China's part is the creation of artificial islands upon submerged reefs in an attempt to claim more islands. Offshore construction works are in progress and captured by a video, while in the meantime Philippines are colonizing reefs with civilians trying to face the Chinese challenge.

Early this year, a group of concrete blockhouses on top of coral atolls indicated China's presence on the Spratly Islands in the South China Sea. In the following months, the Chinese started the offshore construction of new islands on five different reefs, as a move towards its long known territorial claims in the area. Additionally, the specific construction comes as a solution to China's shortage in the possession of real islands in the area, as opposed to Vietnam, the Philippines, Taiwan and Malaysia, countries which all control real land and hence claim significant parts of the South China Sea. 

On one of the artificial islands currently under construction, perhaps Johnson South Reef, China is planning to build an air base with a concrete corridor suitable for the landing and taking off of fighter jets. China occupied the reef after a battle with Vietnam in the late 80's leaving 70 Vietnamese dead sailors. To answer China's movements, poorer countries like the Philippines as well as Vietnam are settling civilians on the reefs that they control, in an attempt to avoid new military action. 

Watch the reporter's description in the video that follows: