China: Subs in Indian Ocean are legitimate

Defending the movement of its submarines in the Indian Ocean as “legitimate” and in accordance with “international practices”, China on Thursday said it had never objected to the presence of Indian Navy ships in the disputed South China Sea.

“... Chinese submarines cross some sea areas and those crossings are legitimate and legal and follow international practices,” Chinese defence ministry spokesman Yang Yujun said when asked about the movement of Chinese submarines in the Indian Ocean. Asked why then did it consider the presence of Indian naval ships “wrong”, he said, “You said when the Indian ships enter the SCS (we are saying) it is wrong. Where did you hear that I am from the ministry of defence and I have never said that. If it is done in accordance with international law... that should be lawful.”