China: US-style freedom of navigation has no basis in international law.

China: US-style freedom of navigation has no basis in international law.

The Institute of Maritime Development Strategy under the Ministry of Natural Resources of China released a report on Monday titled “Legal Assessment of US-Style Freedom of Navigation” in both Chinese and English.

The report examines whether the US claims and actions on “freedom of navigation” are consistent with international treaties and customary international law.

“US-style freedom of navigation includes innovative concepts and self-made standards that Washington has introduced as customary international law, while contradicting international law and the practice of many countries. The United States uses these claims and actions to maximally restrict the legitimate rights of other countries and, in return, expand its own rights and freedoms to achieve freedoms that are immune to legal constraints.”