Is China trying to take control of South China Sea?

This handout photo provided by the Office of the Defense Secretary (OSD), taken Aug. 19, 2014, shows a Chinese fighter jet that the White House said Friday conducted a "dangerous intercept" of a U.S. Navy surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft.

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Recent aerial photos show China building a series of artificial islands -- more than 600 miles from its own southern shore -- in an area known as the Spratly islands. The BBC's Rupert Wingfield-Hayes has been investigating.

Is China trying to take unilateral control of the South China Sea?

That's what the Philippine government thinks and the U.S. government is also worried.

Last month, Chinese fighter jets challenged a U.S. surveillance aircraft flying -- in international air space -- over the South China Sea.

And recent aerial photos show China building a series of artificial islands -- more than 600 miles from its own southern shore -- in an area known as the Spratly islands.

The BBC's Rupert Wingfield-Hayes has been investigating.