Backing the US' latest incursion into the South China Sea, Australian authorities said that Washington was upholding international law when it sent its guided missile destroyer USS Curtis Wilbur near a disputed island in the international waterway.

In a statement released on Sunday, Australia said it strongly supports the US' action in the disputed waters which military observers have described as 'provocative' and 'challenging.'

Like Us on Facebook

Following Saturday's exercise in which USS Curtis Wilbur sailed near China-controlled Triton island in the Paracel Islands,  Australia issued a statement defending the US' action and at the same time hinting that it will conduct its own naval and air missions in the South China Sea.

                                                    International law

"It is important to recognise that all states have a right under international law to freedom of navigation and freedom of overflight, including in the South China Sea. Australia strongly supports these rights," Australian Defense Minister Marise Payne said.

Payne said Australia has a large stake and legitimate interest in the maintenance of peace and stability in the South China Sea region and will exercise its right to free trade, freedom of navigation and overflight and respect for international law.

The defense minister emphasized that Australia has been depending on maritime trade in the South China Sea for a long time with 60 percent of the country's exports passing through the international waterway.

                                                  Freedom of navigation and overflight

"As we have done for many decades, Australian vessels and aircraft will continue to exercise rights under international law to freedom of navigation and freedom of overflight, including in the South China Sea," she added.

Australia is taking a more aggressive stance to protect its trade routes as it continues to work closely with the US and other regional partners to secure the waterway for maritime trade.

China has been accused of creating tension in the region as it continues to lay claim disputed islands and reefs that are located along international trade routes. To expand its claims, Beijing has built artificial islands and reefs.

                                                 'Excessive maritime claims'

Taiwan and Vietnam have also been building facilities on islands under their control and the US is having a hard time halting the construction activities. 

The Pentagon said in a statement that the US warship USS Wilbur sailed deliberately within 12 nautical miles of Triton Island in the Paracel Islands on Saturday to counter the claimant-countries 'excessive maritime claims' in the South China Sea.

A Pentagon spokesman said that Saturday's operation was to challenge the three claimant countries'--China, Taiwan, and Vietnam-- self-imposed restrictions on the freedom of navigation and freedoms.

                                                   Operations

The US has reiterated that its operations in the South China Sea will continue despite vehement protests from China and other claimant countries.

Officials said that the country will fly, sail, and operate wherever international law allows and that includes the South China Sea.

                                                   Angry Beijing

China has accused the United States of violating Chinese law after the US warship sailed near the Chinese-controlled Triton Island in the Paracels Islands last Saturday.

"The US warship violated Chinese law and entered China's territorial sea without authorisation," said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying.

TagsBeijing, United States operations, South China Sea, Australian military forces