Turnbull asserts Australia’s ‘perfect right’ to sail SCS
AUSTRALIA: Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull is insisting on Australia’s ‘‘perfect right’’ to sail its naval fleet through the South China Sea, after a robust exchange in the disputed waters between Australian frigates and the Chinese navy.
Turnbull said Australia asserted its right to freedom of navigation throughout the world’s oceans, including the South China Sea. The remark came after the ABC reported that three Royal Australian Navy vessels were ‘‘challenged’’ by Chinese forces when sailing through the region earlier this month. Turnbull did not confirm or deny the event but declared that Australia had a right to the freedom to send its navy through the international waters.
Between its strategic location and wealth of natural resources, the South China Sea could become a flashpoint for major conflict. China claims many parts of the sea as its territorial waters but has come under strong criticism for building a series of military bases on reefs near neighbours, including Vietnam and the Philippines.
‘‘All I can say to you is we maintain and practice the right of freedom of navigation and overflight throughout the world,’’ Turnbull said. ‘‘In this context, you’re talking about naval vessels on the world’s oceans, including the South China Sea, as is our perfect right in accordance with international law.’’
The ABC reported that the Chinese navy challenged the Australian warships on why they were in the South China Sea, citing an official who described the exchanges as ‘‘robust’’ but polite.
Two of the warships, HMAS Anzac and HMAS Success, travelled through the South China Sea from Subic Bay in the Philippines. The third, HMAS Toowoomba, went through the contested waters after leaving Kota Kinabalu in Malaysia. – Fairfax
‘‘All I can say to you is we maintain and practice the right of freedom of navigation and overflight throughout the world.’’
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull