We are witnessing another round of China-bashing — this time because of its reclamation activities on islands and submerged reefs in the South China Sea. The U.S. Department of Defense has accused China of undermining the status quo and generating instability; being out of step with international rules and norms; and "militarizing" these locations, known as "features."
U.S. Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter has specifically alleged that "turning an underwater rock into an airfield simply does not afford the rights of sovereignty or permit restrictions on international air or maritime transit." Other claimants like the Philippines and Vietnam have said a lot worse, the former even likening China's actions to those of Nazi Germany prior to World War II.
This article is not a defense of China's actions and policies. Indeed, given China's assertive rhetoric and actions — and its refusal to clarify and explain them — it is understandable that the U.S. and others think that China has committed — or is about to commit — a litany of sins.