Chinese building projects in the hotly disputed South China Sea were recently defended by Chinese Admiral Sun Jianguo.

The South China Sea is a hotly disputed region, loaded with valuable natural resources and situated amidst a quarter of the world’s shipping routes. 

Many countries have asserted their claims on the area, but China has gone a step further by launching building projects within it. 

Those endeavors, which include the construction of artificial islands, were recently defended by Chinese Admiral Sun Jianguo. 

In speaking to a defense forum in Singapore, the official said, "I want to reaffirm that this construction is well within the scope of China's sovereignty and it is justified, legitimate and reasonable." 

He also asserted that his country has exercised, “…enormous restraint, making positive contributions to peace and stability of the region and the world at large." 
A significant conc