China has indisputable sovereignty over the Nansha Qundao and their adjacent waters, Jiang Bin, a spokesperson for China's Ministry of National Defense, said at a press briefing on Monday when asked to comment on that satellite images reportedly showed that the Philippines is actively upgrading facilities on two islands in the Nansha Qundao, including plans to expand a sheltered harbor on Mahuan Dao and extend the runway on Zhongye Dao.

Jiang stressed that China firmly opposes the Philippines’ construction activities on all illegally occupied Chinese islands and reefs, including Zhongye Dao and Mahuan Dao, and will take necessary measures to firmly safeguard China’s territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests.

(Source: Ministry of National Defense of China)