air strips and bases there . The ruling states that piling dirt and sand on rocky outcroppings and reefs does n't confer additional resource rights to the waters around it . Despite the ruling , China has not vacated its islands and is currently threatening to expand its claims with a new island - building project near Scarborough Shoal , less than 140 miles from the Philippines ’ capital and well within the Philippines ’ 200-mile exclusive economic zone . A military base on Scarborough would threaten U.S. troops and aircraft in that country . China has also edged in on Japanese claims in the East China Sea , which has prompted the pacifist nation to increase its military activities and spending .