U.S. arbitrary seizure of foreign vessels serious violation of int'l law: spokesman

The arbitrary seizure of foreign vessels by the United States constitutes a serious violation of international law, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said on Monday.

Spokesperson Lin Jian made the remarks in response to a media query regarding the U.S. Coast Guard's seizure of an oil tanker on Saturday, with a White House official claiming the vessel belonged to a so-called "shadow fleet."

"By arbitrarily seizing other countries' vessels, the U.S. has seriously violated international law. China stands against unilateral illicit sanctions that lack basis in international law or authorization of the UN Security Council, and against any move that violates the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, infringes upon other countries' sovereignty and security, and constitutes unilateralism and bullying. Venezuela has the right to independently develop mutually beneficial cooperation with other countries. We believe Venezuela's position of defending its legitimate rights and interests has the understanding and support of the international community," said Lin.

A landmark passenger route linking China's southern island province of Hainan with Europe commenced operation on Sunday, marking the Hainan Free Trade Port's first operational air service under the "seventh-freedom traffic right."

Flight DV481, operated by Kazakhstan's SCAT Airlines, left Sanya Phoenix International Airport on Sunday morning for Prague, the Czech Republic. The inaugural return flight, DV482, arrived in Sanya on Monday, with 115 Czech passengers successfully entering China.

Seventh-freedom rights allow an airline to carry passengers or cargo solely between two foreign countries without any connection to the airline's home country.

The route is operated by SCAT Airlines using a Boeing 737 MAX 9, with one round-trip flight scheduled per week.