China recently authorized its coast guard to seize foreign ships "that illegally enter China's territorial waters." The boundaries of such waters are unknown as China continues to assert claims over land features in the South China Sea and selectively interprets international law to align with its interests. This blog post analyzes how China's new law may affect the United States' lawful uses of the Sea. Given the growing tensions between the United States and China, the United States may consider entering into agreements with the coastal states of the South China Sea to combat increasing security threats.
Read More