Law of the Sea

The US lodged a protest with China as the Pentagon complained that five Chinese ships harassed an American surveillance vessel Impeccable about 75 miles off the coast of Hainan island, where the American ship was carrying out a surveillance mission involving towing sonar equipment designed for anti-submarine warfare. In response, a Chinese FM spokesman said the US ship was conducting activities in China's EEZ without China's permission in violation of the UNCLOS and Chinese laws and regulations. The Pentagon insisted that "coastal states do not have a right under international law to regulate foreign military activities in the EEZ". Later, the US Navy reportedly sent a destroyer to protect its surveillance vessel.