U.S. seriously violates int'l law by seizing foreign vessels on high seas: FM spokesperson

BEIJING, Jan. 8 (Xinhua) -- The arbitrary seizure of foreign vessels by the United States in international waters constitutes a serious violation of international law, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said on Thursday.

In response to the seizure of a Russian-flagged oil tanker by U.S. forces in the North Atlantic, Mao noted that China consistently opposes illegal unilateral sanctions that lack a basis in international law and have not been authorized by the UN Security Council.

China opposes any actions that contravene the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and infringe upon the sovereignty and security of other nations, she added. ■