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Australia acknowledges PH’s right to arbitration case; China fumes

Unknown 10:57 PM acknowledges , arbitration , Australia , Case , China , fumes , PH’s , Right

<ul><li style="text-align: justify;">Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop recognizes the Philippines right to the arbitration case in resolving the conflict</li> <li style="text-align: justify;">Her remarks earned strong criticism from Chinese government</li> <li style="text-align: justify;">Bishop is currently in Beijing for a 2-day visit</li> <li style="text-align: justify;">She intends to ask China about their plans on the man-made islands in South China Sea</li> </ul>MANILA, Philippines – A strongly-worded statement from Australia’s Foreign Minister Julie Bishop over the arbitration case filed by the Philippines against China before the international court in The Hague, Netherlands has sent China fuming in frustrations. Bishop made the remark during her visit to Tokyo on Monday, February 16. She is expected to fly to Beijing the next day to meet her counterpart, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, in hopes of asking the latter about China’s plan on how to utilize the man-made islands they built in South China Sea. The Australian official reiterated they are not taking any sides in the territorial conflict between Asian nations, but supports peaceful resolution to maintain peace and stability in the region and would wait for the result of the arbitration case. “We recognize the Philippines’ right to seek to resolve the matter through arbitration, but we urge all claimants to settle their disputes peacefully without coercion, without intimidation,” Bishop told reporters in Tokyo. To seek clarification Earlier, Bishop said she intends to seek clarification from the Chinese government whether it will allow foreign countries access to the fake islands, the construction of which has become the subject of heated diplomatic skirmishes between Beijing and Washington and other claimants such as Vietnam and the Philippines. “In the past (Chinese) Foreign Minister Wang Yi has said they will be public goods, so I am seeking more detail as to how other nations could access these public goods,” Bishop said. China will not accept Sought for reaction over Bishop’s remarks, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei warns Australia that China is steadfast in its stand that the Philippines’ arbitration case is a contravention of international law, and the Australian official should ‘understand’ this. “China certainly will not accept this. Australia ought not to selectively avoid this reality,” said Hong during a daily press briefing. The Chinese official maintained the structures built on the islands are not just for the country’s defense but for the international community as well which can be used mainly for search and rescue operation. Will not compromise freedom of navigation Hong stressed the facilities will never compromise the freedom of navigation and overflight in South China Sea, contrary to what the US and the rest of the international community have claimed. Hong added: “We hope Australia can adopt an objective, fair and impartial position and not do anything to harm regional peace and stability.” In previous interviews, Bishop said she believes the Manila arbitration case “will settle once and for all the question of whether or not an artificial reef can create some kind of 12 nautical mile buffer.” But above all, she added, Australia would want to see the de-escalation of the tension in the region, wary that a simple miscalculation from any party could lead to an all-out conflict. <a href="http://kickerdaily.com/australia-acknowledges-ph-right-to-arbitration-case-china-fumes/" rel="nofollow">Kicker Daily News</a>

Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop recognizes the Philippines right to the arbitration case in resolving the conflict Her remarks earn...