China May Counter US Deep-Sea Mining With Sanctions

For decades, the United States has used economic and financial restrictions as major foreign policy tools.

But as China and other countries gain greater economic and technological strength, they are also acquiring more ways to push back against US actions, with deep-sea mining possibly becoming a testing ground for that shift.

China could join other countries in taking coordinated countermeasures, including sanctions against companies, if the US proceeds with seabed mining in violation of international law, according to Bian Yongmin, a professor of international law at the University of International Business and Economics in Beijing.

“[However,] if the United States insists on ignoring international law, it would indeed be difficult to restrain them,” said a Beijing-based international law expert familiar with the proposal who asked not to be named, citing the sensitivity of the matter.

Bian’s analysis was published in the June issue of the peer-reviewed China-based Pacific Journal.