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🇸🇬 Singapore /Conflict & Security

China opposes any country using freedom of navigation to undermine its sovereignty

From The Straits Times · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

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  • China firmly opposes any country using "freedom of navigation" to undermine its sovereignty, stating this in response to a Canadian warship's passage through the Taiwan Strait.
  • A Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson reiterated China's respect for international navigation rights.
  • The Canadian warship reportedly transited the strait alone, and neither the Canadian nor Taiwanese defense ministries immediately commented.

China has issued a strong statement opposing any nation's use of "freedom of navigation" as a pretext to challenge its sovereignty and security. This declaration came in direct response to a recent transit of the Taiwan Strait by a Canadian warship.

Mao Ning, a spokesperson for China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, asserted that Beijing "firmly opposes" such actions. She added that China respects the navigation rights of all countries in accordance with international law. The Canadian frigate HMCS Charlottetown reportedly passed through the strategic waterway last week without the accompaniment of allied vessels, according to Canadian media reports.

firmly opposes any attempt by any country to undermine its sovereignty and security "under the pretext of freedom of navigation"

— Mao NingChina's Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson explaining the country's stance on naval transits in sensitive waterways.

Neither the Canadian Department of National Defence nor Taiwan's Ministry of National Defence provided immediate comment when reached for requests for further information.

China respects all countries' rights to navigation under international law.

— Mao NingChina's Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson affirming adherence to international maritime law.
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Originally published by The Straits Times. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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