Russian commentator Grigory Trofimchuk. (Photo: Tert)

According to Trofimchuk, much has been said about sovereignty in the East Sea, but the situation is no closer to being resolved. China says it is protecting East Sea security, but no other country - not Vietnam, not the Philippines, not Malaysia, nor Brunei - approves or supports China’s actions. Trofimchuk points out that summits like the ASEAN Summit are currently the only diplomatic, non-military solutions to East Sea disputes.