Visiting U-S Senator Tammy Duckworth is calling on countries to exercise
their freedom of navigation rights by transiting waters claimed by China ...

.. saying such actions will deter Beijing from establishing jurisdiction over
those areas.

The visiting US senator says she believes it's is important for countries to
continue to transit those waters in accordance with international law and not
allow the China to establish any foothold in creating a different order.

Duckworth says the issue could also have implications for the Taiwan Strait
and is suggesting that Beijing could at some point require all ships
transiting the strait to first register with the Chinese coast guard.

And that, she said is something "we cannot allow to happen."

Duckworth made the appeal on opening day of the Taiwan International Ocean
Forum in Taipei-- a two-day event covering Indo-Pacific security, the role of
coast guards, sustainable development, emerging technologies for ocean
governance, and youth engagement.