China building massive island in South China Sea to accommodate airstrip

China is building a huge island in the South China Sea that would accommodate its first offshore airstrip in an area where Beijing is involved in territorial disputes with neighbouring countries, said a U.S. military spokesman.

According to News.com.au, lieutenant Colonel Jeffrey Pool said that the vast land reclamation project on the Fiery Cross Reef is one of the many pursued by the country but the first one that would host an airfield in the area.

A harbour on the east side is also dug up that seems large enough for tankers and naval warships.

Pool said that they urged China to stop the program and engage in diplomatic initiative in order to encourage all side to abstain from these activities.

The U.S. wants China and other governments to stop such efforts.