MANILA, Philippines — Australia's top diplomat on Thursday stressed that they oppose the scale of China's reclamation and reconstruction activities in the disputed South China Sea. Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said that Australia "certainly does not support militarization of any part of the features of the South China Sea." "Australia's position on the South China Sea has been consistent throughout. "We have deep interest in the South China Sea," Bishop said, adding that majority of their trade passes through the contested waters. Bishop said that Australia will continue to exercise freedom of navigation and overflight in the South China Sea.

Source: Philippine Star March 16, 2017 09:40 UTC