UK Reminds China of Importance of Maritime Law

FILE PHOTO: China’s Liaoning aircraft carrier with accompanying fleet conducts a drill in an area of South China Sea, in this undated photo taken December, 2016. REUTERS/Stringer/File photo

LONDON, Oct 19 (Reuters) – British Prime Minister Theresa May stressed the importance of international maritime law in a meeting with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on Friday, May’s office said in a statement.

“The Prime Minister reiterated the UK’s firm commitment to the rules-based international system, including the importance of freedom of navigation and maritime security, in line with international law,” the statement issued following a meeting in Brussels added.

Last month, Beijing expressed anger after a British Royal Navy warship sailed close to islands claimed by China in the South China Sea, saying Britain had engaged in “provocation.” (Reporting by William James and Alistair Smout; editing by Stephen Addison)

(c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2018.

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