Chinese vessels operate illegaly in the waters around Mischief Reef, part of Vietnam's Truong Sa archipelago (Photo: Reuters)

(VOVworld) – A workshop opened in Washington D.C. on Tuesday to examine recent security developments in the East Sea. Participants underlined the serious impacts of activities that change the status quo. Former Washington Times correspondent James Borton said the marine environment and security in the East Sea were under severe threat from recent activities. He stressed that China’s construction of artificial islands in the East Sea was escalating diplomatic tensions with its Southeast Asian neighbors. The large-scale construction and land reclamation on entities in the waters threatened marine resources and biodiversity, while causing long-term risks to coral reefs.

US Lieutenant General Wallace Gregson Jr., senior director for China and the Pacific at the Center for the National Interest, said overlapping sovereignty claims and large-scale activities changing the status quo in the East Sea were elevating diplomatic tensions, causing instability, and creating imminent risks of conflict.

Participants urged all concerned parties to immediately halt activities that changed the status quo, and enhance education about the importance of the East Sea’s environment.

The event, held by the Foreign Policy Institute, the Maritime Alliance, and Johns Hopkins University, was attended by Sally Yozell, senior advisor to the Office of the Under Secretary of State for Economic Growth, Energy and the Environment; professors from US universities; representatives from environmental protection organizations and embassies, and journalists.