China/South China Sea: China's Island-Building Has Neighbors on Edge, but Tensions May Be Easing

Jun 23, 2015 | Frank Langfitt, NPR
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Chinese and American officials are deep into their annual meeting this week in Washington, hashing out the nations' complex relationship. In addition to many economic and strategic issues, they'll discuss China's remarkable island-building in the South China Sea. In just 18 months, China has created more than 2,000 acres of new land where before there were just waves and reef, according to the U.S. Beijing says it's just trying to protect territorial claims in disputed waters, but American officials see a risk to regional stability.