(VOVworld) – On Thursday, US officials expressed their concerns over China’s possible illegal construction in the East Sea, which could lead to military conflict. They also called on China to respect the ruling of the International Court on the East Sea issue.
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| US Navy guided missile destroyer USS Lassen, one of the vessels conducitng operations in the East Sea (Photo: Kyodo/VNA) |
On the same day, US Secretary of Defence, Ashton Carter, said Washington is closely watching the possibility that from now to the end of the year, China may continue with its illegal construction on Scarborough Shoal to the North of Truong Sa (Spratly archipelago), which the Philippines claims as its exclusive economic zone and lies about 230 kilometers west of the Philippines.
On Thursday, US Deputy Secretary of State Antony Blinken warned that China may damage its prestige if it ignores the upcoming ruling of the Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Hague, relating to the conflict in Scarborough Shoal between Beijing and Manila.
On April 27, several members of the US Congress urged the Obama administration to help strengthen marine security in the East Sea via increasing naval operations close to the disputed islands.