Australia Deploys Long-Range Patrol Aircraft In South China Sea; Puts Pressure On China

The Australian government has declared it will continue to conduct air patrols over the disputed islands in the South China Sea. Australia has warned China to stop its controversial land reclamation program on the islands.

The country has joined the United States and several Asian countries in putting pressure on Beijing and warning about the dangers of conflict and “miscalculation.” Australia’s Defence Minister Kevin Andrews told The Australian that he personally conveyed the message of Canberra to Beijing in a meeting with the Chinese ambassador, Ma Zhaoxu.

The justice minister is currently in Singapore for talks between defence ministers and top military officials. He said there was growing concern for China’s reclamation activities. In the meeting with defence officials, ministers were opposed to the ide of using coercion or force to change the status quo in East China and South China Seas.

Andrews said Australia was pressuring all parties involved to “exercise restraint”, stop all land reclamation activities and refrain from taking any provocative action. In an interview with the Wall Street Journal from Singapore, the justice minister said Australia had sent long-range maritime patrol aircraft over the South China Sea and Indian Ocean. He added that Canberra would continue to do so despite China’s possible obstruction.

“We’ve been doing it for decades, we’re doing it currently… and we’ll continue to do it again in the future.” Andrews said Australia does not see any change to the operation.

Top military officials in the U.S. navy and marine commanders in the Pacific have been urging Australia to consider joining the multilateral naval policing missions in the South China Sea, alongside Japanese forces, to help return the rebalance of U.S. forces in Asia.

Australia Prime Minister Tony Abbott is expected to be briefed on the security developments in the region. The country has been upgrading the capabilities and equipment of its navy and air force.

U.S. Defence Secretary Ashton Carter has demanded that all claimants of the disputed waters should end all construction activity. He said Beijing was “out of step” with international agreements.

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