US views China map claims over South China Sea, disputed Indian areas as ‘unlawful’: State Department

The US State Department has criticised China’s new map asserting possession over nearly the entire South China Sea, adding its voice to a chorus of nations rejecting Beijing’s territorial and maritime claims in the highly disputed waters.

The “standard map” posted last week on China’s Ministry of Natural Resources website showed a U-shaped line aligning with Beijing’s long-held claims over the South China Sea, a vital maritime corridor enabling trillions of dollars annually in global trade.