In a statement, China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs rejected claims linking vessels recently seized by the United States in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility to China, saying, “The vessel seized by the U.S. is a foreign container ship. China rejects any false association and speculation.” The statement reinforces Beijing’s earlier denial of reports suggesting it had issued a “last warning” to Washington over the seizure of the M/V Touska, which Chinese officials have also dismissed as inaccurate.