Why is Australia going against China on the South China Sea?
Australia has formally dismissed claims to China’s authority over the South China Sea (South China Sea).
At the same time, amidst increasing tension over the South China Sea, Australia has made it clear that it is closer to America in this matter.
In a declaration in the United Nations (UN), Australia has said that there is no ‘legal basis’ for these claims of China.
China has not yet responded to this. This step of Australia has come at a time when America has recently declared some of China’s steps in this area illegal.
Objections from many countries
In recent years, China has established military bases on artificially built islands in the South China Sea. China argues that it has centuries-old authority over these areas.
Countries like Brunei, Malaysia, Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam object to these claims of China. In these countries, the dispute over this area has been going on for many decades, but in recent years there has been a rapid increase in tension about it. There have been many clashes in the sea during this time.
China asserts its claim over a large area known as the “Nine-Dash Line”. China has made an island here to make its claims strong and has started patrolling in the sea.
China has prepared a large military infrastructure here. However, he claims that his motives are peaceful.
Although not largely inhabited here, there may be natural resources around the two island chains in the region – Paracels and Spratalis. This sea is also an important shipping route and there are also a large number of fish.
In 2016, an international tribunal ruled against China. This tribunal had said that there is no evidence that China has historically had any authority over this area. However, China refused to accept this decision.
What is the attitude of Australia?
Australia’s declaration filed in the UN on Thursday stated: “Australia rejects historical claims or maritime rights and interests established through China’s long-standing historical activity in the South China Sea.”
It cited the 2016 decision of the Permanent Court of Arbitration to say, “There is no legal basis for creating a baseline or island group connecting the outermost points of China’s maritime features in the South China Sea.”
It also states that Australia does not accept China’s assertion that its sovereignty claim over Paracels and Spratalis is widely recognized by the international community. Australia has cited objections from Vietnam and the Philippines in this case.
Analysts say this declaration is a major shift from Australia’s earlier position. Earlier Australia used to appeal that all the countries claiming the South China Sea should settle the matter according to international laws.
This step has come at a time when Australia and China relations have declined due to many issues. These issues include the demand for an investigation to trace the roots of Australia’s Kovid-19. Kovid-19 was launched in Wuhan, China.
Australia’s declaration in the UN has also come at a time when there is an annual dialogue between Australia and the US in Washington on Tuesday. The two countries have close relations.
What is the attitude of America?
America has long been opposing the militarization of China in this area. The Trump administration has recently reversed a policy of not taking sides. In this way, the US has supported the claims of countries in the southeast of China.
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said earlier this month that some of China’s actions are completely illegal. In response, China has said that the US is deliberately distorting facts and international laws.
Relations between China and the US have also come down recently. China’s handling of the Corona epidemic, its tough steps in Hong Kong and its treatment of Muslim minorities have been the cause of recent tensions between the two countries.
Earlier this week, the US ordered the closure of a Chinese consulate in Houston, Texas. On the other hand, in retaliation, China had asked to close the US Consulate in Chengdu.
