In a rare scenario, China has detailed its plans as it builds artificial islands in seven reefs in the disputed South China Sea. 

China said the islands would not only be used for the country's military defense, but will benefit neighboring countries as well, particularly when typhoons strike.

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Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said the construction in the Spratlys will serve as emergency center for China and its neighbors.

"We are building shelters, aids for navigation, search and rescue as well as marine meteorological forecasting services, fishery services and other administrative services," Hua said.

But Hua did not elaborate how the artificial islands will be used in China's military defense. 

The ongoing massive reclamation in the South China Sea had triggered other claimants to react - some had even filed diplomatic protests before the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).  The United States has also criticized China's behavior.

However, China never showed signs of backing down.

"The relevant construction is a matter that is entirely within the scope of China's sovereignty. It is fair, reasonable, lawful, it does not affect and is not targeted against any country. It is beyond reproach," Hua said.

China had claimed almost the whole of the South China Sea.  The Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan also have overlapping claims.

Workers in the islands are now building ports and fuel depots.  They are also constructing two airstrips that will turn Beijing into a yet more powerful force within Southeast Asia.

Foreign relations experts said China may try to limit both air and sea navigation from Western and Asian countries once the islands and infrastructure within it are completed. 

While the UNCLOS doesn't allow a reclaimed land to be used as basis to determine territorial zones, officials fear China may ignore international polices and continue restricting foreign navies from passing by.

China has vocally defended the reclamation work after a Washington-based think tank published satellite images of the construction around the Mischief Reef in the Spratlys - an area the Philippines calls its its exclusive economic zone.

Philippine Defense Department spokesman Peter Paul Galvez had repeatedly called on China to take down construction work on Mischief Reef, saying it could place the Philippines national security at risk.

TagsMischief Reef, spratlys, maritime dispute, unclos