China insists it has sovereign rights over Taiwan Strait

Foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin rejects a US claim that the area in question is international waters. China regards Taiwan as part of its own territory and says that under international law this gives its rights over the whole channel

China said on Monday it has sovereign and administrative rights to the Taiwan Strait, denying US claims that the channel consists of international waters.

Foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said the strait fell within China’s territorial waters and exclusive economic zone as defined by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and domestic law. “China enjoys sovereign rights and jurisdiction over the Taiwan Strait, while respecting the legitimate rights of other countries in the relevant maritime areas,” Wang said in Beijing.

Source: South China Morning Post