LOOK: China's reclamation projects in the West Philippine Sea

As one of the claimants of the disputed territories over the West Philippine Sea, China has so far been tagged as most aggressive, with significant construction efforts in the area. 

 

The country maintains historical claims over nearly the entire sea and its features, even when it overlaps with the territorial jurisdiction of its neighbors, including the Philippines. 

 

The Philippines, in turn, has gone ahead with the submission of a crucial arbitration document seeking to invalidate China's massive claim.

 

This has not stopped China from its reclamation efforts. On Monday, prior to the opening of this year's Balikatan exercises, Armed Forces chief Gen. Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr. presented to media new satellite images that show what he called "massive" work the country has been doing there. 

 

"We are amazed at the pace that China is reclaiming the area. It's fast, but I hope it's not furious," he said. 

 

 

-- with Jessica Bartolome/JST, GMA News