China has warned opposing parties “not to turn the South China Sea into a cradle of war” and declared it had a right to set up an air defence zone over the disputed waters.
Advertisement
‘I’ve questioned all our defence officials at Senate estimates and they’ve made it clear they are not authorised to engage in freedom of navigation exercises in the South China Sea, ‘ he told ABC radio.
Beijing boycotted the PCA proceedings, saying the court had no jurisdiction to rule on the issues, and has mounted a huge diplomatic and publicity drive to try to discredit the tribunal and its decision.
He dismissed concerns the action could inflame tensions, insisting China’s actions had become more aggressive and “bullying” in recent weeks.
Bishop said Canberra also reserved the right to sail ships and fly planes close to some of the reefs and islands claimed by China.
“China’s territorial sovereignty and maritime interests in the South China Sea, under any circumstances, will not be affected by the award”, he said.
Global Times said that the tribunal has “shamelessly overstepped and abused its authority”, adding that it is a “brutal violation of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (Unclos) and the worldwide law system”. But from China’s point of view, accepting the decision would affect its claims to exploit fisheries and other lucrative natural resources.
In 2014, China launched massive island-building efforts in the Nansha – or Spratly – Islands, buttressing claims to the territory.
He said the United States was not a claimant in the South China Sea and does not support or oppose any specific claims. China and the region would be better off if they used the tribunal verdict as a catalyst for negotiations. It also found that China had no legal basis to claim the resources within its so called “nine-dash” line.
The United States said on Tuesday a court ruling that China has no historic title over the waters of the East Vietnam Sea should be treated as final and binding and not be a reason to raise tensions.
In 2013, the Philippines challenged China’s attempts to establish control over an area encompassing almost 90% of the South China Sea.
“If our security is threatened, we of course have the right to set it up”, Liu said.
Advertisement
Mr Duterte is navigating a tightrope in which he wants to revive relations with Beijing while being seen as defending the major victory the country has won through arbitration.
