(VOVworld) – China’s illegal construction activities in the East Sea will not deescalate tension, support settling disputes through peaceful and diplomatic means, or enforce its disputed territorial claims, the US State Department said Tuesday.

Satellite images show a dramatic expansion of Chinese outposts in the East Sea. A structure at Gaven Reefs seen at left in March last year. At right, the same area is seen in January, with an artificial island linked by a causeway to the original outpost. (Photo: IHS)

The statement was released following China’s announcement of a plan to quickly finish its island construction activities on Vietnam’s Truong Sa archipelago, some of which serve military purposes. China said that its construction activities are totally legal, legitimate, and reasonable – an idea which has been protested by other claimants in Southeast Asia, including Vietnam, Malaysia, and the Philippines.