Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun criticized the United States' executive order to boost deep-sea mining, emphasizing that no country should bypass international law or the International Seabed Authority. On Friday, Guo pointed out that the exploration and exploitation of international seabed resources beyond national jurisdiction must adhere to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
He asserted that the US decision to authorize mining in the so-called "Outer Continental Shelf" (OCS) violates international law and undermines global interests. This move, Guo stated, reveals the US's continued "unilateral and hegemonic approach to international law," prioritizing self-interest over collective benefit.
The order aims to expedite deep-sea mining to secure critical minerals like cobalt, manganese, and copper, furthering US competition with China in the minerals market. The US's OCSs are divided into the Gulf of Mexico, Atlantic, Pacific, and Alaska regions.
