The arbitrary detaining of vessels of other nations in international waters by the United States constitutes a serious violation of international law, Mao Ning, spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, said on Thursday.

Mao told a regular press briefing that China consistently opposes illegal and unilateral sanctions that lack a basis in international law and have not been authorized by the United Nations Security Council, adding that China also opposes any actions that violate the purposes and principles of the UN Charter or infringe upon the sovereignty and security of other countries.

Read more:

U.S. military seizes oil tanker in North Atlantic, Russia responds