US Navy confirmed this monday destroyer ship USS Milius made maritime navigation rights and freedoms mission Chinese South, “in accordance with international law”.
“At the end of the operation, the USS Milius left the over-demand zone and continued its operations,” the US Seventh Fleet said in a statement. the maneuver took place in less than twelve nautical miles (approximately 22 kilometers) from Mischief Reef in the Spratly Islands.
U.S. authorities have stated that “under Customary International Law as reflected in the Convention on the Law of the Sea, structures such as the Mischief Reef that are inundated in their natural state at high tide do not have a right to their territorial waters.”
The letter continued, “By holding joint voyages within twelve nautical miles of Mischief Reef, the United States has demonstrated that ships in these areas can legally exercise their freedom on the high seas.”
On the other hand, Criticizes “allegations of widespread illegal shipping in the South China Sea”Considering that “they pose a serious threat to the freedom of the seas, including freedom of navigation and overflight, free trade and economic opportunity for coastal nations”.
That’s why Washington insisted on the 1982 Law of the Sea Convention that it “challenged claims of extreme seas throughout the world, regardless of the identity of the claimant”: “Gives all nations certain rights and freedoms and other legitimate uses of the sea”.
“As long as some countries continue to demand rights and impose limitations that exceed their powers under international law, the United States will continue to support the rights and freedoms of the sea guaranteed to all. No member of the international community should be intimidated or intimidated. The U.S. Navy has been compelled to resign their rights and freedoms” ” said.
China condemns ‘illegal trespassing’
on his behalf Chinese officials condemned the US decision to enter the waters near Mischief Reef without the approval of the Chinese government..
Colonel Tian Junli, spokesman for the Southern Theater Command, stated that the US destroyer “illegally entered the waters adjacent to the reef”.
According to a statement, “China has unquestionable sovereignty over the islands and adjacent waters in the South China Sea. Combat troops are always on high alert and resolutely uphold peace and stability as well as sovereignty and national security.”