BEIJING, China (CCTV/Reuters) — Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi on Thursday urged Australia to be impartial on territorial disputes in the South China Sea in his meeting with visiting Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop.
Australia is not a directly involved country and should abide by its commitment to impartiality on sovereignty and territorial disputes in the South China Sea, Yang said.
He urged Australia not to participate in or take any action that may harm regional peace and stability or China-Australia relations.
Yang said islands in the South China Sea have been China’s territory since ancient times, and China has the right to maintain its territory, sovereignty and maritime interests.
China’s construction of the islands is mainly for civil use and aims to provide public goods to the international community. The limited self-defense facilities deployed on the islands are the result of China’s right to self-defense granted by international law, which has nothing to do with militarization. It is natural and fully legitimate, Yang said.
The state councilor also discussed the development of the China-Australia comprehensive strategic partnership with Bishop in the meeting, who is visiting from Tuesday to Thursday.
He said he hopes the two sides can implement the consensus reached by their leaders, maintain the frequency of high-level visits and cooperate more in trade, technology and education.
China and Australia should give full play to their advantages to make sure their development initiatives and strategies are integrated, according to Yang.
China is ready to communicate more with Australia on international and regional issues, as well as on preparing for the G20 summit, which is to be held in September in the Chinese city of Hangzhou.
Bishop said Australia and China have huge potential in trade and people-to-people exchanges.
Australia is willing to cooperate more with China in tourism, education, judiciary and anti-terrorism, she added.
