Amid competing territorial claims by several countries in the South China Sea, China has been busy expanding its presence in the disputed waters by building artificial land using sand and concrete.

Admiral Harry Harris, commander of the US Pacific fleet, told a naval conference in Australia onTuesday that China has been 'aggressively' expanding its hold in the contested islands through land reclamation.

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Harris said China's unprecedented move has increased 'regional tensions' among the claimant countries that include the Philippines and Vietnam.

The navy commander said China is "creating a great wall of sand" through land reclamation in the South China Sea which has caused serious concerns about its territorial intentions.

According to Harris, China is building artificial land by pumping sand onto coral reefs and then paving them over with concrete. He added that China has already built more than 4 square kms of artificial landmass, so far.

"The region is known for its beautiful natural islands, but in sharp contrast, China is creating a great wall of sand with dredges and bulldozers over the course of months,"Harris pointed out.

Harris said the claimant countries have expressed concern over China's reclamation projects that have turned submerged reefs in the Spratlys into artificial islands that house a runway, building, and wharves.

The Navy commander said the pace with which China is building artificial islands in the Spratlys was alarming and raises questions about China's intentions.

China is claiming the whole of the South China Sea as part of its territory. It repeatedly announced  over the years that its claims have  historical basis.

The United States has urged all claimant countries to abide by the 2002 China-Asean Declaration of Conduct in which all the claimants must exercise self-restraint in its conduct of activities that could affect peace and stability in the region or could heighten disputes.

President Obama has said that the US has a stake in the region as it is crucial for world trade. He said that the US is concerned about the resolution of the dispute in the South China Sea but China has repeatedly dismissed Obama's statements as 'pure meddling.'

Tags2002 China-Asean Declaration of Conduct