(VOVworld) - The US Navy's top officer says he would like to see more international participation in freedom of navigation operations in the East Sea.

US Chief of Naval Operations Admiral John Richardson in Tokyo, Japan (Photo: AFP/ VNA)

Chief of Naval Operations Admiral John Richardson said on Thursday that greater international participation there would be something to look forward to. On Wednesday, Chief of the US’s Pacific Command Harry Harris said the US is likely to carry out new freedom of navigation operations in the East Sea soon. The US has repeatedly insisted that US naval activity in the East Sea aims to ensure freedom of navigation as stipulated in the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and is not intended to provoke China. Washington says East Sea conflicts should be resolved through negotiation, not by force or threat of force.