Mainland: China enjoys sovereignty over the Taiwan Straits

The Chinese mainland has reiterated that both sides of the Taiwan Straits belong to China, stressing there are no international waters in the Straits and expressing opposition to any form of illegal activities that endanger China's sovereignty and security in the Straits. Chen Binhua, a spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, said that China respects the navigation rights enjoyed by all countries in relevant waters of the Straits in accordance with Chinese law and international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, but firmly opposes relevant countries' illegal activities that provoke and endanger China's sovereignty and security in the name of "freedom of navigation."