⁍ Australia has joined the United States in stating that China’s claims in the South China Sea do not comply with international law.
⁍ The declaration is likely to anger China and put more strain on their deteriorating relations.
⁍ China claims 90% of the potentially energy-rich waters.
– Australia has joined the US in declaring that China’s expansive territorial claims in the South China Sea don’t jibe with international law. In a declaration filed at the UN on Friday, Australia rejected China’s “claim to historic rights” or “maritime rights and interests,” as well as its claim that its sovereignty over the Paracel Islands and the Spratly Islands was “widely recognized by the international community,” Reuters reports. Vietnam and the Philippines also raised objections to China’s claims. The declaration comes as Australia’s foreign and defense ministers prepare to travel to Washington to attend a bilateral forum on July 28, the government says.
Source: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-australia-china/australia-says-chinas-south-china-sea-claims-are-unlawful-idUSKCN24Q09D