TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The U.S. Navy sailed near the Paracel Islands in the South China Sea on Sunday (Nov. 26) to challenge what it called “unlawful restrictions” imposed by Taiwan, Vietnam, and China who claim sovereignty in the region.

The commander of the U.S. 7th Fleet released a statement on Sunday and said that the three countries’ respective claims on the Paracel Islands and associated restrictions on free passage are illegal under international law.

“By engaging in innocent passage without giving prior notification to or asking permission from any of the claimants, the United States challenged these unlawful restrictions imposed by the PRC (People’s Republic of China), Taiwan, and Vietnam,” the statement said.

Taiwan claims multiple islands in the Paracel group, but is not in control of any. All are under Chinese control, and are subject to multiple countries’ sovereignty claims.