“The oceans are not calm. Certain countries have resorted to the unlawful use of force at sea under various pretexts, posing a serious threat to regional peace and security,” Hua said on Monday.
She was delivering opening remarks at a forum in Beijing focused on international ocean dispute resolution and international law.
“Some have unilaterally enacted and implemented ‘deep-sea mining regulations’, eroding the common heritage of humankind,” the vice-minister said, alluding to an executive order signed by US President Donald Trump in April.
By directing agencies to streamline exploration and mining permits, Trump’s order allows American private companies to pursue deep-sea mining in areas beyond US jurisdiction without prior approval from the United Nations.
