MANILA, Philippines — In a bid to preserve free and open access to the seas, France vowed to maintain its operations in the South China Sea. "We will continue to sail more than twice a year in the South China Sea," Parly said in her speech. British helicopters and ships joined the France task force that sailed in the South China Sea. Nearly one-third of the global maritime trade passes through the South China Sea. "In terms of the South China Sea, both Australia and France share a common view, which is that the South China Sea is international waters and that we are entitled to navigate as we see fit, and through the norm practice of any country, navigating through the South China Sea," Pyne said in September.

Source: Philippine Star June 04, 2019 07:52 UTC