Chatham House: Britain Stands Up to China Over Freedom of Navigation

British naval ships traversed the South China Sea to demonstrate support for freedom of navigation despite China’s claims to most of the major waterway. The UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, signed by China and the UK, gives countries control over 12 nautical miles from their coasts – foreign military and other ships have the right to traverse such waters as long as they do not “threaten ‘peace, good order or security’ or jeopardize anyone’s safety.” A decade after signing UNCLOS, China enacted its own law, maintaining that the South China Sea is China’s territorial sea and other countries must obtain advance approval before sending military vessels. “China’s position here is hypocritical. It is making demands on other countries that it does not itself respect in other parts of the globe,” writes Bill Hayton for Chatham House. In July 2017 three Chinese vessels including a missile destroyer went through the Dover Strait, 18 nautical miles wide. Neither France nor the UK objected. China’s claims over the South China Sea could prompt other countries to make claims and attempt to blockade waterways essential for shipping. Hayton concludes “The consequences for international peace will be dire.” – YaleGlobal