China is conducting "large scale" land reclamation and construction on a reef in the disputed Spratly Islands, state-backed media reported on Thursday, in an unusual acknowledgment of its controversial work in the region. Citing satellite images, the semi-official China Military Online said China had officially begun reclamation work on Cuarteron Reef, which is also claimed by the Philippines. China has rejected diplomatic protests by the Philippines and Vietnam and criticism from the United States over its reclamation on the reefs, saying it falls "within the scope of China's sovereignty.

China admits reclamation at Spratly. (2015, February 27). Malaya Business Insight, p. B6.