FILE - In this April 20, 2015 file photo, Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff Gen. Gregorio Pio Catapang points to reveal recent images of China's reclamation activities being done at the disputed islands in the South China Sea during a news conference at Camp Aguinaldo in suburban Quezon city, northeast of Manila, Philippines. As Chinese President Xi Jinping makes his first state visit to Washington this week, starting Friday, Oct. 2, the outlook for relations is decidedly murkier than when he hosted President Barack Obama at their last summit less than a year ago. Recent concern has been China’s program of turning reefs in the South China Sea into islands complete with airstrips capable of accommodating upgraded bombers that analysts say could pose a direct threat to the U.S. Navy, American bases in Asia and to allies such as Japan and the Philippines. Washington has repeatedly called on Beijing to halt such moves, only to be told they’re not a threat and not of U.S. concern. (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez, File )