South China Sea dispute: Australia says Beijing’s claims have no legal basis


Source: parliamentnews.co.uk parliamentnews.co.uk

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Australia has formally rejected China's territorial and maritime claims in the South China Sea, aligning itself more closely with the US as tensions rise. In a declaration to the United Nations, Australia said the claims, which take in the majority of the sea, had "no legal basis". China has not reacted. It comes after the US called some of China's actions in the area "unlawful". In recent years China has built bases on artificial islands in the sea, saying its rights go back centuries. Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam contest China's claims. The countries have wrangled over territory...