DoS spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus

DoS spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus said in a statement on July 20 that China’s reclamation and militarisation of disputed outposts in the East Sea, along with other efforts to assert its unlawful East Sea maritime claims, including the use of maritime militia to intimidate, coerce and threaten other nations, undermine the peace and security of the region.

By blocking development in the East Sea through coercive means, China prevents ASEAN members from accessing more than 2.5 trillion USD in recoverable energy reserves.

These acts by China are interfering in particular with Vietnamese oil and gas exploration and production, she stated. - VNA