(VOVworld) – The News Straight Times of Malaysia on Wednesday quoted the Malaysian Foreign Minister as saying that China’s test flights on illegally built runway on the Fiery Cross reef has created an unfavorable environment for resolving disputes in the East Sea. Anifah Aman said China’s activities may increase tension in the East Sea and complicate the situation due to the erosion of trust among countries.

An April photo released by the Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative department at the Center for Strategic and International Studies think tank shows a satellite image of what is claimed to be an airstrip under construction at Fiery Cross Reef in the disputed East Sea. Photo: Digitalglobe/Agence France-Presse/Getty Images

He urged full compliance with international law, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC). All sides have to improve their common understanding, reinforce trust, avoid activities that can increase tension, and engage in the building of the Code of the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (COC).
He said it’s necessary to increase regional efforts, particularly at the ASEAN level, to maintain peace in the East Sea and Southeast Asia.