China has started operation of a newly built lighthouse on Subi Reef, one of the many artificial islands constructed by Beijing in the disputed South China Sea region.

The 55-metre light house was inaugurated by China's Transport Ministry, state media Xinhua announced on Tuesday.

The lighthouse emits white light and will provide efficient navigation services to the Chinese coastal guard.    

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China initiated the construction of the lighthouse after U.S. guided missile destroyer USS Lassen sailed within 12 nautical miles of Subi Reef in October last year. Beijing described the move as "extremely irresponsible."

Over the last year, China has steadily increased its construction activities on several reefs and artificial islands of South China Sea.

China's construction activities have been scorned by all other claimants, who are mostly China's small neighbors. Many have described it as "assertive action" on the part of Beijing to stake its sovereignty over the disputed maritime territory.

However, China maintains that construction activities are purely meant for achieving maritime safety and other obligations like scientific research.

China also has a lighthouse projects on two other reefs, Cuarteron Reef and Johnson South Reef.

China is laying claim to most part of the energy rich South China Sea, while five of its prominent neighbors - Brunei, Taiwan, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Vietnam are also stake competing claims over the waters.

Tensions keep flaring up in South China Sea region, as most claimants perform military and no-military activities near the region to stake their claims. Several experts have noted that the South China Sea region is one of the major "flashpoints" in the Asian continent.

TagsSouth China Sea, china