beijing china test new dredger ship greatly enhance land reclamation capabilities state media report say sunday country continue develop facilities south china sea bid strengthen claim water state-run beijing news newspaper say tian kun begin water test friday cutter suction dredger type ship use large-scale project create reclaim land example many hard coral reef sea floor south china sea paper quote zhang xiaofeng chief engineer vessel say add ship put service sometime first half 2018. recent satellite image show china quietly undertake construction reclamation south china sea trillion ship-borne trade pass year bid strengthen grip despite objections brunei malaysia philippines taiwan vietnam well unite state experts say china land first deployments jet fighters onto runways spratly islands come months unite state concern china construction islands military buildup water could use restrict free nautical movement ship carry freedom navigation patrol area anger china subject could come trump visit beijing next week part 12-day asia trip meet chinese president xi jinping though north korea recent nuclear missile test expect feature prominently talk south china sea issue issue china unite state china vice foreign minister zheng zeguang tell reporters friday add issue freedom navigation region china indisputable sovereignty islands surround water china test new dredger capable south china sea project state media