On Tuesday, Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said that Australia is contemplating on joint naval patrols with Indonesia in the disputed South China Sea.
Indonesia’s invitation for joint patrols at a bilateral meeting in Bali last week was in line with Australia’s policies of exerting its right of freedom of navigation, Bishop said.
Bishop told Australian Broadcasting Corp radio that patrolling the contested waters is in accordance with international law. It also shows the country’s support for peace and stability in the region.
Australia is a steadfast ally of the United States. It has earlier elicited criticism from China for conducting surveillance flights over disputed islands in the South China Sea. The country also supports U.S. freedom of navigation exercises there.
The South China Sea, where close to $5 trillion of sea-borne trade transits annually, is almost wholly claimed by China. Last month, China advised Australia to act and speak cautiously on the South China Sea.
The Philippines, Malaysia, Vietnam, Brunei and Taiwan also have claims on parts of the sea. The area is considered to have heavy deposits of oil and gas.
Indonesia and Australia already carry out joint sea patrols in the Timor Sea as part of the countries’ collaboration on battling illegal fishing and people smuggling.
A part of Australia’s commitment
She said that the sea patrols are a regular part of what the Australian navy does. This is part of their commitment in the region. Such operations are in line with Australia’s right of freedom of navigation including in the South China Sea.
In July, following a case brought by the Philippines, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Hague said China’s assertions to the waterway were invalid. Beijing, which has erected several artificial islands with landing strips in the sea, has rejected the ruling.
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