There are numerous competing claims but China claims ownership of the Sea. Australia did not take sides in the South China Sea disputes, Bishop said, but it wanted to see "de-escalation of tension", reiterating its opposition to China's militarisation of man-made islands in the waters. China and the 10-member Asean have been discussing for almost 15 years a set of rules aimed at avoiding conflict among rival claimants in the South China Sea. China claims most of the energy-rich South China Sea, through which about US$5 trillion worth of trade passes each year. Tensions reached a flashpoint after the Philippines filed an arbitration case against China in The Hague and as China started militarising artificial islands it built up on reefs in the South China Sea.

Source: Bangkok Post March 16, 2017 19:18 UTC