In the face of growing international condemnation for its building artificial islands in the South China Sea from which to project its military power in the region, China appears to have reduced itself into an island. From world leaders and international organizations to opinion writers around the world, China has drawn criticism for its massive land reclamation in the disputed South China Sea. Criticism of China’s behavior has intensified in recent months, as it refused to take part in arbitration proceedings that the Philippines has initiated in the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague.

Quismundo, T. (2015, July 9). Int'l opinion against China buildup in disputed sea. Philippine Daily Inquirer, pp. A1, A13.