Notwithstanding protest from its Asian neighbors, China continues to flex its military muscle by massive construction on disputed islands in the South China Sea.

To avert armed conflict, Daniel Russel, a U.S. diplomat for East Asia, and Philippine Foreign Undersecretary Evan Garcia asked China to stop those construction activities that worsen the already tense situation in the region and is a breach of the 2002 accord, ABC reports.

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Garcia, in a joint press conference with Russel, showed recent photographs and said these changes are not small adjustments but "huge activities" mean to alter the status quo.

Beijing has previously insisted that the disputed territories are part of the country and the Philippines or other countries should not meddle in its construction activities in those islands.

Based on the Philippine military's air surveillance of the area two weeks ago, Armed Forces Chief of Staff Gen. Gregorio Pio Catapang assessed that the reclamation work in three reefs are 50 percent complete. One has an elongated part measuring 1 to 2 kilometers long which could probably be an airstrip.

It adds to speculations that the islands could be used as a military base and resupply and refueling station.

"It's alarming in the sense that it could be used for purposes other than peaceful," Philippine Star quotes Catapang's press briefing at the start of the year.

Besides China and the Philippines, other nations claiming these disputed territories as theirs are Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan.

Russel described the construction work as ongoing concern not only for the region but also for the U.S. and other countries since the area is one of the most busy commercial sea routes in the world and the tension affects freedom to navigate those waters in pursuing "unimpeded, lawful commerce."

He adds, "But behavior that raises tension, behavior that raises question about China's intention and behavior that would appear to be inconsistent with the principles that I've enumerated work counter to those goals."