Australia joins nations in rejecting China's South China sea claims, writes to the UN

Adding to growing list of nations rejecting China's claims over South China Sea, Australia on Thursday issued a statement saying that it categorically rejects all maritime claims by China that are 'inconsistent' with 1982 UNCLOS. " Australian Government rejects any claims by China that are inconsistent with United Nations Convention on Law of Sea (UNCLOS)," it said.

"Australia rejects China's claim to historic rights or maritime rights and interests as established in long course of historical practice in South China Sea," read official statement by Australian Government. 

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' legal basis'

statement added that re was ' legal basis' for China to draw baselines along island groups such as Four Sha or outlying archipelagos, adding that states were to draw baselines in accordance with Article 5 of UNCLOS which China had violated. 

"re is legal basis for a maritime feature to generate maritime entitlements beyond those generated under UNCLOS by that feature in its natural state," it said adding that Australia will t accept artificially transformed or acquired islands by Chinese government. 

Along with this Australia has requested United Nations to accept ir position and stand on issue requesting UN Secretary-General to circulate letter to United Nations Convention on Law of Sea and member states of UN.

Yesterday, at least three Australian warships encountered Chinese war vessels in disputed South China Sea as two naval forces were locked in a confrontation on former's way to Vietnam, as per international media reports. Meanwhile, on July 21, Australia’s Department of Defense confirmed in an official statement that Japan, US, and Australia were conducting trilateral pass in Philippine Sea to participate in Exercise Rim of Pacific (RIMPAC) in Hawaii.

On or hand, India has also made it clear that it rejects all unlawful maritime claims by China after Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Spokesperson Anurag Srivastava revealed that  South China Sea is a "part of global commons" adding that India's position on this issue has been clear and consistent.

"Our position on this issue has been clear and consistent. South China Sea is a part of global commons and India has an abiding interest in peace and stability in region," he said.

Read: Australian Warships Encounter Chinese Naval Vessels In South China Sea, Situation Diffused

Read: India Rejects China's Territorial Claim Over South China Sea, Calls Water Body 'part Of Global Commons'

(With ncy Inputs)