US misuse of freedom of navigation panned

China resolutely opposes the United States using freedom of navigation to undermine the security interests of other countries, as well as hyping the so-called Chinese space threat to justify its militarization of space, the Ministry of National Defense said.

In early April, the Pentagon released its annual Freedom of Navigation Report for Fiscal Year 2021. From Oct 1, 2020 to Sept 30, 2021, US forces had challenged 26 countries and regions for their excessive maritime claims, the report said.

Senior Colonel Tan Kefei, spokesman for the ministry, said at a news briefing on April 28 that for a long time the US has been using “freedom of navigation” as an excuse to ignore other countries’ maritime interests and security concerns.

China urges the countries targeted by the US operations to jointly oppose US maritime bullying, he said.