(VOVworld) – A conference entitled ‘the Convergence of Marine Science and Geopolitics in the East Sea’ took place in Washington last weekend.

At the conference (Photo: VNA)

American scholars agreed that China’s recent massive upgrading and expansion in the East Sea has threatened the local natural environment and ecosystem.

James Borton, former correspondent for the Washington Times and the author of the book ‘East Sea: Challenges and Promises’, said that although China has claimed its upgrading and expansion of islands and reefs does not harm the environment, evidence contradicts that claim.

Borton noted that China’s activities violate the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and proposed the establishment of a Multipartite Commission on the East Sea with the participation of ASEAN members.

Professor John McManus, director of the National Center for Coral Reef Research at the University of Miami, proposed building a ‘Marine Peace Park’ in Truong Sa (Spratly) Archipelago, which would require maintaining the status quo of the islands and large reefs.