(VOVworld) - A seminar on sustainable maritime economic development opened in Nha Trang city in central Khanh Hoa province. Dr. Truong Minh Huy Vu, director of the Centre for International Studies (SCIS), HCM City University of Social Sciences and Humanities, said the East Sea issue is the biggest challenge to maritime economic development. He added there is a change in maritime space and control zone among concerned countries, and Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, and Brunei need a common legal alliance to better share their interests and resources in addition to enhancing maritime security and safety cooperation in the East Sea. The US has also proposed several initiatives to ensure freedom of navigation. Vu said: "The East Sea issue has captured the attention of both domestic and international scholars. They have not only paid attention to Vietnam’s viewpoints to the issue, but also to the ways ASEAN countries, especially Vietnam and the Philippines, would address the problem. If we can figure out an approach to the East Sea issue in a peaceful, equal, manner and in accordance with international law, it would be a great contribution to maintaining peace in the East Sea."