Security analysts expect China to continue building its “great wall” in the South China Sea despite the Philippines’ friendliness under President Duterte and Chinese talk of giving Filipino fishermen conditional access to the disputed Scarborough Shoal off Zambales province. Amti estimates Beijing has "created [1,248 hectares] of new islands" in the Spratlys. Each artificial island hosts a military base that is expected to be fully operational by next year.

Dizon, N. (2016, October 24). China stand on sea row stays, say analysts. Philippine Daily Inquirer, p. A19.