Former Australian defence official urges East Sea navigation freedom
Former Chief of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) Angus Houston has underscored the importance of ensuring maritime freedom and safety of navigation in the East Sea.
China's illegal construction in the East Sea (Source: VNA)
Sydney (VNA) – Former Chief of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) AngusHouston has underscored the importance of ensuring maritime freedom and safetyof navigation in the East Sea.
Duringthe Australia-US-Japan security cooperation conference in Canberra on January31, Houston, who led the ADF from 2005-2011, also called for solutions toterritorial disputes in line with international law and preventing unilateralactions that threaten regional peace and stability.
Commentingon militarised islands, the former official warned of the likelihood of China’spermanent presence in the East Sea and expansion of its military presence tothe south near Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore.
Heurged the US to maintain strong presence in the Indian Ocean and Pacific.
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Vietnam’s activities on islands and rocks under its management in the East Sea are completely normal, Vietnamese Ambassador to China Dang Minh Khoi told Hong Kong-based Phoenix Television.
The development of maritime economy and the safeguarding of national defence at sea must be combined as strategy on exploitation and sustainable use of maritime resources.
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China's illegal construction in the East Sea (Source: VNA) 
