In October a U.S. navy warship sailed near islands claimed by China in an attempt to counter what Washington sees as Beijing’s efforts to limit freedom of navigation in the strategic waters.

The guided-missile destroyer USS Decatur challenged “excessive maritime claims” near the Paracel Islands, among a string of islets, reefs and shoals over which China has territorial disputes with its neighbours, U.S. officials told Reuters.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com.au/2016/11/15/stunning-aerial-photos-show-extent-of-chinas-developments-in-th/