A Response to China'a "Legal Assessment of U.S. Views on "Freedom of Navigation"

Authors

• Raul Pete Pedrozo

Document Type

Article

Abstract

In August 2025, the China Institute for Marine Affairs (CIMA) conducted a legal assessment of U.S. views on freedom of navigation. CIMA concluded that U.S. views on freedom of navigation lack “a basis in international law,” “seriously distort[] the interpretation and development of international law,” and embody “distinct illegality, unreasonableness, and double standards.” Part 1 of the assessment provides an overview of U.S. views on freedom of navigation. Part 2 “analyzes the gaps between U.S. perceptions of navigational rights and related practices and the rules of international law.” Part 3 “analyzes the legality of U.S. restrictions on the rights of coastal States and whether they have a sufficient basis in international law.” Part 4 of the assessment concludeswith an evaluation of the U.S. views on freedom of navigation“in terms of legality and reasonableness.” This paper responds to CIMA’s spurious and untenable arguments.

First Page

43

Recommended Citation

Raul P. Pedrozo, A Response to China'a "Legal Assessment of U.S. Views on "Freedom of Navigation", 31 Ocean & Coastal L.J. 43 (2026).
Available at: https://digitalcommons.mainelaw.maine.edu/oclj/vol31/iss1/4