international waters

international waters pl (plural only)

1. (international law) Those parts of the ocean that are not legally recognized as being under the jurisdiction of any national government.
   • 2022 August 28, Brad Lendon, “US sends two warships through Taiwan Strait, in first transit since Pelosi trip”, in CNN‎, archived from the original on 28 August 2022‎:

     Beijing claims sovereignty over Taiwan despite China's ruling Communist Party never having controlled the island -- and considers the strait part of its "internal waters."
     The US Navy, however, says most of the strait is in international waters.

• (international law): high seas

• (international law, maritime law): territorial waters, exclusive economic zone, international waterway

• flag state
• universal jurisdiction

• international waters on Wikipedia.Wikipedia