Australia and Japan warn China over South China Sea dispute

Japanese and Australian officials expressed concerns over China's actions in the South China Sea. Both countries also warned that they will go against any unilateral actions that can affect the status quo in the South China Sea.

Japan’s foreign and defence ministers have been worried about China's position in the South China Sea. During a meeting with their Australian counterparts, the officials have reiterated the necessity of building new generation submarines Down Under.

“China is increasing its activities,” Bloomberg quoted Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida during a meeting on Sunday.

“To accommodate or condone the current situation, we cannot accept -- we need to ensure the rule of law and freedom of navigation,” the official said through a translator.

According to the Japanese, the South China Sea, along with China's efforts, can turn the region into a selling point for military hardware in Asia. China has been constructing artificial islands in the region to bolster its claims, but the country maintained that such efforts were only to serve the public better. Vice Foreign Minister Liu Zhenmin said they want to serve ships and fishermen better.

China has claims over the 80 percent of the South China Sea. This was based on a nine-dash line drawn on a 1947 map. However, such basis offers no precise coordinates, thus the room for other claimants. Since President Xi Jinping stepped in, the country has increased its efforts to take control of the region. The artificial islands were considered the best representation of the country's interests over the region.

Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said that Australia has no claim over the territory but it urges countries to settle the dispute based on international law. Prime Minister Turnbull said that China should refrain from continuing the path it already set as this can spark war and drive other nations to side with the United States. The West has been testing China’s “freedom of navigation” claims by ordering jets to fly closely over the disputed islands.

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