The Pentagon is trying to restore military ties between China and the United States, but there is little sincerity in terms of concrete actions. China's Southern Theater tracked, monitored, and warned the US missile destroyer of its illegal intrusion into the territorial waters of Xisha Islands. The illegal intrusion of US ships into China's territorial waters violates the "Law of the People's Republic of China on the Territorial Sea and the Contiguous Zone," which clearly stipulates that foreign warships must obtain permission from China before they can pass through China's territorial waters in a harmless manner. In order to preserve the concept of so-called "freedom of navigation", the United States has always maintained that prior approval is not required as long as it passes innocently. There are two main reasons why China does not retaliate against US ships: On the one hand, China has always adhered to the principle of not firing the first shot;On the other hand, the Law of the People's Republic of China on the Territorial Sea and the Contiguous Zone was established on the basis of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, and China believes that it is legitimate to criticize the illegal invasion of the United States, but the United States has not signed the Convention, so its actions are reasonable.
The illegal intrusion of the US military into the territorial waters of the Xisha is not a new incident, but many people are still not very clear about what they "not" and why they did not retaliate. In fact, the actions of the US ship violated China's laws and regulations on territorial waters, namely the Law of the People's Republic of China on the Territorial Sea and the Contiguous Zone. According to the provisions of this law, foreign vessels must obtain permission from China before entering China's territorial waters. As long as the United States has communicated with China in advance and has received permission, their ** can legally enter the Xisha Islands. However, in defense of the so-called concept of "freedom of navigation," the United States insists that no prior permission is required as long as it passes through China's territorial waters.
There are two main reasons why China has not taken countermeasures against US ships. First of all, China has always adhered to the principle of not firing the first shot, which is also the consistent purpose of the Chinese armed forces. Second, the Law of the People's Republic of China on the Territorial Sea and the Contiguous Zone is based on international law, so from China's point of view, it is legitimate to criticize the illegal actions of the United States against the Paracels. However, from the point of view of the United States, they did not violate China's territorial waters, because the United States has not signed the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, and in their view, the extent of the territorial waters of other countries is limited to within three nautical miles, and as long as they are far from this range, the remaining areas are considered legal. While this view may sound a bit of a bummer, the United States does think so.
In response to the rogue behavior of the United States, China does have a trick that can hit its "seven inches". Since the United States is not a signatory to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, the extent of their own legal territorial waters is limited to three nautical miles. If China's ** can move at the door of the United States and enter the range of 12 nautical miles or even closer, this is legal. The United States has always been keen to defend its interests through "freedom of navigation", so China can completely emulate the behavior of American ships in the South China Sea, let them sigh for a long time, and put them in a passive position. In this way, either the United States will diplomatically initiate against China**, or it will be forced to join the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
In response to the rogue behavior of the United States, China can take a countermeasure, that is, to hit its "seven inches". Since the United States is not a signatory to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, their own legal territorial waters are limited to three nautical miles. If China's home can move at the doorstep of the United States and enter the range of 12 nautical miles or even closer, it is legal. The United States has long regarded "freedom of navigation" as a means to protect its own interests, so China can completely follow the example of American ships in the South China Sea, making them feel helpless and put themselves in a passive position. In this way, either the United States will launch diplomacy against China**, or it will have to honestly join the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
China was able to take such a measure because the United States itself did not sign the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. According to the provisions of the Convention, in addition to normal merchant ships, the ** of other countries also enjoy the right to pass through the international high seas, including the ability to navigate within the lawful territorial waters of other countries. The United States, on the other hand, is not a signatory to the Convention on the Law of the Sea, so they do not believe that it is necessary to respect the sovereignty of other countries in their territorial waters and limit the scope of their territorial waters to three nautical miles. If China's ** is able to operate in the vicinity of US territorial waters and approach the range of twelve nautical miles or even closer, then, according to American logic, this is a legitimate act, and they will not be able to blame China.
In the face of the rogue behavior of the United States, China can use its legitimate right to treat the United States in the same way, thus making them feel the same pressure. Such countermeasures would not only weaken the long-held U.S. concept of "freedom of navigation," but could also be a powerful tool for China in the South China Sea. While the United States may raise China's actions with us, it will also force them to face up to the importance of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and become a signatory to the Convention like other countries.
Overall, the illegal intrusion of the United States into the territorial waters of the Paracels has exposed its disregard for and provocation of China's sovereignty. China should resolutely safeguard its territorial integrity and sovereignty, and use its law and strength to counter any illegal intrusion into China's territorial waters. At the same time, we should also fully realize that safeguarding our rights and interests in territorial waters requires not only our firm position and legitimate rights and interests, but also the support and recognition of international laws and norms. Protecting China's interests in the South China Sea through decisive and lawful actions not only demonstrates China's resilience and determination, but also helps maintain regional peace and stability. This incident once again reminds us that in international affairs, we must always take peace and cooperation as our purpose, uphold fairness and justice, and jointly uphold the dignity and authority of international law and order.