China  said on Wednesday it hopes Australia would practice caution when speaking about the sensitive issue on South China Sea.

The stern message was conveyed in a meeting of top defense officials of China and Australia in Beijing.

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China's defense minister Fan Changlong, vice chairperson of China's Central Military Commission, said the country "hopes that on the South China Sea issue the Australian side can speak and act cautiously, and that its words and deeds match." 

Fan reportedly told Australian counterpart, Marshal Mark Binskin, that China is equally hopeful of pushing forward the healthy and stable development of bilateral military ties.

China's latest warning to Australia relative to the ongoing South China Sea issue is not surprising, considering that the latter is one of the staunch allies of the United States. Canberra is openly supportive of America's controversial "freedom of navigation" operation, which aims to counter the mainland's aggressive activities in the disputed maritime territory.

China is one of the largest foreign investors in Australia, aside from being its largest trading partner. The economic reality has pushed many in Australia to debate over its South China Sea policies. However, It has so far failed in convincing the country to change its South China Sea policies.    

China stakes claim over almost the entire disputed islands. Beijing's belligerent claim continues despite a verdict by The Hague-based international tribunal court that dismissed its historical assertion.

Brunei, Philippines, Taiwan, Vietnam, Malaysia and Indonesia are other claimants of the South China Sea.

TagsChina and Australia, Australia, South China Sea Dispute, china