A satellite image shows what is believed to be Chinese vessels dredging sand at Mischief Reef in the Spratly Islands in the South China Sea. Source: Supplied

A Chinese flag flies from one of the two newly-finished concrete structures at Mischief Reef in the Spratly Islands in the South China Sea. Source: AP

US Secretary of State John Kerry and Chinese President Xi Jinping talk during their meeting at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. Source: Getty Images

US Secretary of State John Kerry ended a two-day visit to Beijing yesterday after the South China Sea dispute dominated talks with President Xi Jinping, Premier Li Keqiang and Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

Mr Kerry told the leaders the US would appreciate China taking a softer approach to the Spratly Islands, whose ownership is claimed by China and five neighbours.

China has angered the region in the past year by carrying out building works on the string of uninhabitable islands. Some analysts say China could be storing military assets there.

“We are concerned about the pace and scope of China’s land ­reclamation in the South China Sea,” Mr Kerry said in Beijing at the weekend. “I think we agree the region needs smart diplomacy in order to conclude the ASEAN-China code of conduct and not outposts and military strips.”

Mr Kerry said he had urged China “to take actions that will join with everybody in helping to reduce tensions and increase the prospect of a diplomatic solution”.

However, China gave little indic­ation it would back down on the ownership claims. Mr Wang said China’s ownership of the islands should not be questioned and it was an “internal” matter for the government. He said the construction “falls fully within the scope of China’s sovereignty”.

“The determination of the Chin­ese side to safeguard our sovereignty and territorial integrity is as firm as a rock and is unshake­able,” he said. “It has always been our view that we need to find appropriate solutions to the issues we have through communication and negotiations among the parties direct­ly concerned. This position will remain unchanged.”

Central Military Commission of China vice-chairman Fan Chang­hong said China would not alter its approach to the islands.

“China resolutely safeguards peace and stability of the South China Sea and adheres to the settlement of disputes through nego­tiations with the countries directl­y concerned,” he said.

“China’s determination and will to safeguard sovereignty and territorial integrity is unswerving.”

It was reported last week that the US could send military planes and warships to patrol the islands, but there was no comment from Mr Kerry as to whether this plan would be put into action.

An editorial published over the weekend in the People’s Daily, the main Communist Party newspaper, chided claims by The Philippines that it was the sovereign owner of the Spratly Islands, known as Nansha in Chinese.

The Philippines has said it would work with the US on a peaceful resolution towards the dispute, but it did not think China should have control of the islands.

“Why is Manila labelling such accusations against Beijing?” the paper wrote. “The accusations fit into the narrative of portraying China as an ‘assertive’ and even ‘aggressive’ major power.

“The Philippines’ aim is to gain the support of countries that see China as an existing or potential challenge to their interests (the US) or which also have disputes with China (Japan). Manila’s strategy plays out well with the inter­national media controlled by Western corporations.”

Additional reporting: Agencies