China, Australia envoys spar on Twitter

NEW DELHI: The Chinese and Australian envoys to India had a terse exchange on Twitter on Friday on China’s actions in the South China Sea and elsewhere, with the latter saying Beijing should refrain from actions that “unilaterally alter the status quo”.

Sun Weidong, the Chinese envoy, objected to remarks made by the Australian high commissioner, Barry O’farrell, regarding the situation in the South China Sea by saying in a tweet that they were made “disregarding facts”.

“Noted remarks by Australian HC to India on #Southchinasea disregarding facts. #China’s territorial sovereignty & maritime rights & interests are in conformity [with] int’l law incl UNCLOS [United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea]. It’s clear who safeguard peace & stability & who destabilize & provoke escalation in the region,” Sun tweeted.

A short while later, O’farrell responded in a tweet: “Thank you @China_amb_india. I would hope then you follow the 2016 South China Sea Arbitral Award which is final and binding under international law, and also generally refrain from actions that unilaterally alter the status quo.”

O’farrell was referring to the verdict by the arbitral tribunal in the Philippines’ case against China’s activities in the South China Sea. The tribunal ruled in favour of the Philippines and concluded that China’s territorial claims were unlawful. China didn’t accept the verdict.