Satellite images show that China is reclaiming land around a submerged reef in disputed territory in the South China Sea.

The photos show that China has been reclaiming land around Mischief Reef, which lies 250km off the Philippine island of Palawan in the disputed Spratly Islands that are claimed by China, the Philippines, Malaysia, Vietnam and Brunei.

Several dredgers can be seen at the northern and western edges of the reef. The entrance to the reef has also been widened to about 275 meters, the New York Times reported.

"China is creating a great wall of sand with dredgers and bulldozers," Adm. Harry Harris, the commander of the United States Pacific fleet said in a speech in Canberra, Australia. He noted that China has now created more than four square kilometers of artificial landmass.

China has rejected criticism of its reclamation activities and said the work falls "within the scope of China's sovereignty", according to Reuters. A Chinese amphibious warship, capable of holding up to 800 troops was also spotted patrolling the reef's southern entrance, according to the New York Times.

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