Analysts say the pictures show how China is attempting to create facts in the water to bolster its sovereignty claims

7 AREAS: Armed Forces chief General Gregorio Catapang Jr presents photos of China's reclamation projects in West Philippine Sea

The Philippines one of the most vocal of China's neighbours in defending its competing territorial claim reacted strongly, calling for the Asian giant to "dismantle" the reclaimed land. (READ: PH fears 'miscalculation' in West PH Sea)

"They have to dismantle it," said Peter Paul Galvez, spokesman for Manila's defense department. "It is a concern not only of our country and region but of the whole international community."

A series of satellite images posted on the website of the Center for Strategic and International Studies show a flotilla of Chinese vessels dredging sand onto Mischief Reef and the resulting land spreading in size.

Before-and-after images of other outcrops in the Spratly Islands record runways appearing from jungle, smooth-sided solid masses where coral once lay, and man-made harbors replacing natural reefs.

Analysts say the pictures show how China is attempting to create facts in the water to bolster its sovereignty claims.

Beijing asserts sovereignty over almost the whole of the South China Sea, including areas close to the coasts of other littoral states, using a nine-segment line based on one that first appeared on Chinese maps in the 1940s.

The Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan all have overlapping claims.

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China defends reclamation of islands in disputed territory