Australia one of 14 nations to reaffirmed rejection of China’s ‘maritime claims’ week after missile test

Australia is one of 14 nations which have reaffirmed their rejection of China’s “expansive maritime claims” less than a week after a controversial Beijing ballistic missile test in the Pacific.

The Coalition’s commitment to a “peaceful, stable, and rules-based” Indo-Pacific was made in a joint statement Sunday as they marked the 10th anniversary of a landmark ruling on the South China Sea.

“We reiterate our strong opposition to any destabilizing or unilateral actions including by force or coercion that threaten peace and stability in the region,” it stated.

The landmark and unanimous decision on disputes in the South China Sea was constituted in 2016 under Annex VII of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

It had pressured China to abide by international maritime law and supported the Philippines’ legal stance amid disagreements over maritime borders and territories.

The statement released on Sunday was signed by Australia, the US, UK, Canada, New Zealand, Japan, the Philippines, Germany, Italy, Latvia, Estonia, Lithuania, Romania, and Slovenia.

“We reaffirm our strong opposition to the use of coast guard, military, and maritime militia forces to harass, obstruct, or intimidate lawful operations by other States at sea or in the air,” it stated.

“We urge the parties to abide by the 2016 Award and resolve disputes peacefully through dialogue and other lawful mechanisms in accordance with international law.

“We remain steadfast in our support for a free and open Indo-Pacific.”

It comes as China had tested a long-range ballistic missile in the Pacific nuclear-free zone on the day the Ocean of Peace Alliance treaty was signed between Australia and Fiji.

The missile had splashed down near Tuvalu, which is one of less than a dozen States to hold a formal diplomatic alliance with Taiwan.

Defence industry minister Pat Conrory said on Sunday the deliberate action had impacted Beijing’s standing in the region.

Within 24 hours several Pacific leaders had publicly condemned it as a destabilising and “provocative act”, offering some of the harshest rebukes against China in recent years.

Mr Conroy also said the launching of the missile contributed to an “arms race” and insisted any conflict in the region would be a “nightmare scenario”.

“We’re prepared for a conflict in our region. Everyone is working very hard to avoid it,” Mr Conroy told ABC’s Insiders program.

“What we’re seeing in the region is the biggest arms race, the biggest buildup of military since 1945 and concerningly, that is occurring without any transparency or strategic reassurance,” Mr Conroy told ABC’s Insiders program.

“This is a race where we need to make sure that the Australian Defence Force has the best possible equipment, and that’s why we’re providing the biggest peacetime increase in defence funding ever.”

China has since claimed the launch was a “routine” part of their annual military training program.

Assistant foreign minister Matt Thistlethwaite was expected to travel to Indonesia on Sunday on behalf of the government.

“My visit will deepen the Australia-Indonesia partnership as we work together to address key challenges and implement our shared vision to support a peaceful, stable and prosperous region,” he said in a statement.