Regional tensions have escalated over the matter of the islands, located in waters also claimed by several smaller Southeast Asian nations, including the Philippines and Vietnam. Despite calls from President Barack Obama and other leaders to cease the land-reclamation exercises, the BBC reports that China says it will “expand and upgrade” facilities — which at present include airstrips of unclear purpose — on the islands.
Source: Beijing Says Military Facilities in the South China Sea Are Needed for China’s Defense | TIME