China’s Ministry of Natural Resources released a report Monday, contending that the US freedom of navigation operations (FON) in the South China Sea have “no legal basis” under international law. The report, authored by the China Institute for Marine Affairs, aims to provide a legal framework for Beijing’s long-standing opposition to US naval patrols.

China’s report argues that the program primarily serves “the national interests and geopolitical strategy of the US.” It contends that Washington has distorted UNCLOS while refusing to ratify it, and that the US “selectively applies the provisions of the Convention in its favor,” undermining its integrity.

The report further evaluates US FON as marked by unlawfulness, unreasonableness, and double standards. It argues that the program dist

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