Senior Chinese diplomat takes swipe at US over deep-sea mining strategy

SCMP | Dec. 1, 2025, 9:07 a.m. | Original
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An executive order signed by US President Donald Trump allows American private companies to pursue deep-sea mining in areas beyond US jurisdiction without prior approval from the United Nations. Photo: Xinhua

Abiding by international law is the only path to peace and sustainable development at sea, China’s foreign vice-minister Hua Chunying said on Monday in a veiled swipe at the US over its unilateral exploitation of seabed minerals .

“The oceans are not calm. Certain countries have resorted to the unlawful use of force at sea under various pretexts, posing a serious threat to regional peace and security,” Hua said on Monday.

She was delivering opening remarks at a forum in Beijing focused on international ocean dispute resolution and international law.

“Some have unilaterally enacted and implemented ‘deep-sea mining regulations’, eroding the common heritage of humankind,” the vice-minister said, alluding to an executive order signed by US President Donald Trump in April.

Washington sees deep-sea mining as a strategic counter to China’s dominance in critical minerals , targeting vast reserves contained in potato-sized nodules on the seabed beyond the legal jurisdiction of individual countries.

By directing agencies to streamline exploration and mining permits, Trump’s order allows American private companies to pursue deep-sea mining in areas beyond US jurisdiction without prior approval from the United Nations.

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