PM Scott Morrison urges restraint on South China Sea
Prime Minister Scott Morrison says Australia and Vietnam have gone from “friends to mates” during his visit, but it’s what he didn’t say on the South China Sea that has people talking.
QLD News
Don't miss out on the headlines from QLD News. Followed categories will be added to My News.
PRIME Minister Scott Morrison called on “all parties” to “show self-restraint” and avoid escalating tensions in the South China Sea, but would not single out China’s recent actions in the region.
He made the comments during his state visit to Vietnam, speaking with his counterpart Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc.
Black gold reaping $1 billion reward in Vietnam
Aussie forces headed to the Straits of Hormuz
The PM was greeted in Hanoi this morning with full pomp and ceremony, as a military marching banding in pristine white uniforms and children waving Australian and Korean flags heralded his arrival.
In a joint statement from the leaders, the PMs “expressed serious concern” about developments in the South China Sea, including land reclamation militarisation of disputes features.
“The Prime Ministers called on all parties to exercise self-restraint and avoid actions that may further complicate the situation,” their joint statement said.
Chinese vessels have been in Vietnam’s exclusive economic zone of the disputed, increasing tensions in the region.
But Mr Morrison did not name China and insisted Australia was not taking sides.
“The principle of international law applies to everybody,” he said.
“I’m not here to make accusations. We don’t take sides in disputes. We just stand for the principle.
“It’s about ensuring each and every nation in this region can have confidence in its independence and sovereignty.”
It was despite the US State Department overnight issuing a statement strongly condemning China’s latest incursions into the zone.
“The United States is deeply concerned that China is continuing its interference with Vietnam’s longstanding oil and gas activities in its (economic exclusion zone),” the department said in a statement.
Mr Phuc said he was deeply concerned about “recent complex developments” in the South China Sea.
“We have agreed to co-operate in maintaining peace and stability, security and safety and freedom of navigation, urging parties to refrain from further force and settle disputes by peaceful means and in accordance with international law.”
Following a warm and extended one-on-one discussion with Mr Phuc, Mr Morrison praised the strength of the relationship between the two nations.
“We have two systems, very different histories, different languages, different cultures, but shared values when it comes to the future of our relationship and future of our region,” he said.
He stressed there was a shared interest in keeping the region open, independent and stable.
Trade was also key to the talks as Mr Morrison said the relationship had strengthened “from friends to mates”.
Mr Morrison said he would not rule out developing a direct free trade agreement with Vietnam in the future.
It would add to the existing Trans Pacific Partnership, ASEAN-Australia-NZ FTA, as well as the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership which they committed to finalising this year.
Originally published as PM Scott Morrison urges restraint on South China Sea