As a display of its strength and control over the South China Sea, China is expected to build more military facilities such as surveillance systems in the artificial islands it has reclaimed in the disputed waters.

In a span of two years, China had added more than 3,200 acres of reclaimed land to several contested islands, reefs, and features it occupies such as the Scarborough Shoal and the Spratly group of islands, the Pentagon said in a report that was submitted to the US Congress on Friday.

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The report said that since China finished its major land reclamation work last year, it is just about ready to construct more military facilities this year including a 9,800 foot-long airstrip that can accommodate advanced military aircraft such as fighter jets.

"Additional substantial infrastructure, including communications and surveillance systems, is expected to be built on these features in the coming year," the report said

Continuous presence

In the annual report which focused on China's military activities in 2015, the Pentagon also noted that Beijing is likely to use its reclaimed features in the disputed waters to establish a significant presence in the region and to build civil-military bases.

The Pentagon report comes at a time of heightened tensions over maritime claims by China and other neighboring nations over the South China Sea.

Beijing has reiterated that the South China Sea dispute must be resolved bilaterally between China and claimant states. China has repeatedly protested against any third party intervention in the conflict.

Washington has accused Beijing of militarizing the region. But China has lambasted the US' decision to patrol near China-controlled territories in the South China Sea under the guise of the freedom of navigation principle.

Outside intervention

The Pentagon report said China is developing its military capabilities to fight off outside intervention in the impasse, but is careful enough to avoid any confrontation with the US in Asia.

"China demonstrated a willingness to tolerate higher levels of tension in the pursuit of its interests, especially in pursuit of its territorial claims," the report said.

In the same report, the Pentagon accused China of using 'coercive tactics' in the South China Sea to protect its claims.

China is claiming sovereignty over a large portion of the South China Sea, which is believed to be rich in oil and gas as well as other resources. The Philippines, Malaysia, Vietnam, Taiwan, and Brunei have competing claims.

Chinese President Xi Jinping has pushed for a diplomatic approach to settle the South China Sea dispute, such as "friendly dialogues" between China and other claimants.

President Xi said the US must stop intervening in the dispute, adding that it is not a party to the conflict and should therefore not meddle in China's affairs.

TagsScarborough Shoal, spratly islands, military facilities, Washington, china