China has accused the United States of violating international law through its maritime operations, following recent reports of U.S. forces detaining foreign vessels in international waters. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning stated on Thursday that such actions "constitute a serious breach of international legal norms" during a regular press briefing in Beijing.
"China firmly opposes any illegal unilateral sanctions lacking UN Security Council authorization," Mao emphasized, adding that Washington's actions "undermine the sovereignty and security interests of affected nations." The remarks come amid heightened tensions over maritime security and freedom of navigation principles.
While not specifying recent incidents, the comments follow reports of a U.S. military operation seizing an oil tanker in the North Atlantic earlier this week. Analysts suggest the statement reflects growing concerns among Asian trading partners about potential disruptions to global shipping routes critical to regional economies.
