Australian Foreign Minister Wayne and Defense Minister Reynolds have arrived in the United States. (Photo of Australian)
Australia has publicly announced that China's territorial claims in the South China Sea have no law basis, and will join the United States in the South China Sea military exercises. China, for its part, has criticized Australia's comments "for ignoring the facts ".
This week, Australian Foreign Minister Payne (Marise Payne) and Defense minister Reynolds (Linda Reynolds) will participate in the annual Australian-US minister level dialogue (AUSMIN) in Washington. The United States is expected to ask Australia to participate in its frequent naval missions to counter China's military of disputed waters in the South China Sea.
The Australian Prime Minister, Scott Morrison, said today that while there is a risk of conflict with China, it is in the interests of Australia and the United States to promote stability in the Indian Ocean-Pacific region.
"I don't think there is any risk when we act to safeguard the peace and stability of the region ," he said. "
"Regional peace and stability are in the interests of all parties in the region and include China. "
Foreign Minister Ryan played down the risk that both sides could cause fierce conflict during the joint military exercise because of misjudgments or mistakes.
"And we want all participants in the South China Sea and those who exist, and, frankly, everywhere, to exercise restraint and to act responsibly and wisely to contribute to security and stability ," she told ABC Radio. "
"Avoiding miscarriage of justice and avoiding such problems is one of the most important parts of responsible military behaviour. "
The federal labour deputy party chieftain 、 defense speaker, mars (Richard Marles), points out that freedom of navigation is crucial given that 60% of australia's seaborne trade passes through the south china sea.
But he also stressed that territorial claims to intervene in disputed waters are not in Australia's national interest.
"We have a core interest in the issue of navigation in the South China Sea ," he said ." As a matter of principle, it really needs to be put on the table. "
China Ministry of Foreign Affairs speaker Wang Wenbin accused Australia of "ignoring the facts ". (Photo of Chinese Embassy in Australia)
China retorts: ignoring facts
The Australian government, in a document submitted to the common country last week, claimed that China's nine government lines in the South China Sea were "without law basis ".
The area is strategically important, rich in oil, gas and fishing resources, and one-third of the world's shipping is through. The supply of crude oil and raw materials in South Korea and Japan depends heavily on this route.
"Australia rejects any territorial claims based on these baselines against the internal sea, territorial territorial sea, exclusive economic zone and mainland shelf shall be rejected by Australia. "
"The Australian government encourages all parties in the South China Sea territorial claims, including China, to clarify their maritime claims and peace resolve their differences in accordance with international law. "
On monday's chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs routine journalist meeting, the australian broadcasting corporation asked: last week, the permanent mission of australia to the common country sent a letter to the secretary-general of the common country, saying that china's claims on the south china sea issue have no law basis. How do you comment?
Wang Wenbin, China's new speaker Ministry of Foreign Affairs, responded: China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea have been formed in a long historical process, adhered to by successive government of China, in accordance with international law, including the Convention on the Law of the Sea of the Common State, and will not be change. by individual States for groundless accusations
China firmly opposes Australia's statements, which ignore facts and violate the basic norms of international law and international relationship.
