China has accused the United States of violating international law through its recent military actions in the western Pacific region. This accusation comes just one day after an American naval destroyer sailed through the politically sensitive Taiwan Strait.
In a statement released by the Chinese Foreign Ministry, spokesperson Hua Chunying expressed China’s strong objection to the US military’s presence in the western Pacific, stating that it goes against the principles of international law and undermines regional peace and stability.
The incident in question involved the USS John S. McCain, which sailed through the Taiwan Strait on Wednesday, marking the second time this year that a US naval vessel has passed through this strategic waterway. The Taiwan Strait is a narrow body of water that separates mainland China from the island of Taiwan, which Beijing considers to be a part of its territory.
China has repeatedly voiced its opposition to any military activity in the Taiwan Strait, emphasizing that it sees the strait as an integral part of its territorial waters. The US, however, has maintained its stance that its naval operations in the region are in accordance with international law and aimed at ensuring freedom of navigation.
Hua Chunying stated that the US has been continuously carrying out provocative actions in the western Pacific, including sending its warships to the South China Sea and conducting joint military exercises with Taiwan. She warned that such actions not only violate China’s sovereignty and security interests, but also harm regional peace and stability.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson also criticized the US for its frequent use of the so-called “freedom of navigation” as a pretext for its military maneuvers in the region. She pointed out that the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) clearly stipulates that foreign warships must first seek permission from coastal countries before entering their territorial waters.
Hua Chunying urged the US to respect international law and the sovereignty of other countries, and to stop its provocative actions in the western Pacific. She also called on the US to play a constructive role in maintaining regional peace and stability.
This latest dispute between China and the US comes at a time of increasing tensions between the two countries. The two nations have been engaged in a trade war for over a year, with both sides imposing tariffs on billions of dollars worth of goods. The US has also been critical of China’s human rights record and its military buildup in the South China Sea.
Despite these tensions, both China and the US have expressed a desire to maintain a stable relationship. In fact, Chinese President Xi Jinping and his US counterpart Donald Trump are expected to meet at the upcoming G20 summit in Japan, where they are expected to discuss trade and other bilateral issues.
It is important for both countries to exercise restraint and handle their differences through dialogue and cooperation. Instead of resorting to military actions that can escalate tensions and potentially lead to a larger conflict, both China and the US should work towards finding peaceful solutions to their disputes.
In conclusion, China’s accusation of the US violating international law in the western Pacific is a reflection of the growing tensions between the two countries. While the US insists that its actions are in accordance with international law, China sees them as a threat to its sovereignty and regional stability. It is crucial for both sides to engage in productive dialogue and find peaceful resolutions to their differences in order to maintain a stable relationship and ensure peace in the region.
