US and Australia to discuss South China Sea patrolling

U.S. State Secretary John Kerry and Defence Secretary Ash Carter have met with Australia’s Foreign Minister Julie Bishop and Defence Minister Marise Payne in Boston on Wednesday to discuss carrying out possible patrolling within 12 nautical miles of the artificial islands constructed by China in the South China Sea.

The U.S. and Australia are expected to sign a deal during the meeting, ensuring defence cooperation from both the ends, a U.S. official said. He also confirmed that Australia works hand-in-hand with the U.S. so far as patrol option for the South China Sea is concerned. The U.S. and Australian defence personnel are looking for even better opportunities to make the partnership fruitful.

Meanwhile, the official refuted rumours that the U.S. had already made a final decision on the freedom of navigation within 12 nautical miles comprising the aforesaid artificial islands. “You know, doing the 12 nautical mile challenge is one among a variety of options that we’re considering, but I can’t get into current or future operations,” he told Reuters, adding, “We’re waiting for an interagency decision that includes the White House.”

China has continuously been claiming that it enjoys complete right on the territorial South China Sea. Last week, the Chinese ministry said that Beijing would not tolerate any nation intervening in its territorial waters in the name of freedom of navigation. However, there are other nations as well that have made claims over the territorial disputed waters, including Vietnam, Malaysia and the Philippines.

Defence ministries from all the claimant nations are looking for relevant peaceful ways to convey to the Beijing authorities that they do not agree with their unilateral actions to make sure no hard feelings emerge due to the disagreement.

When China’s President Xi Jinping visited the U.S. in September, U.S. President Barack Obama said, “The United States will continue to sail, fly and operate anywhere that international law allows.” On the other hand, in a news conference with Obama, Xi said that China had never looked forward to militarising South China Sea islands.

According to some analysts in Washington, the decision on South China sea patrolling has already been made and would take effect either this week or next, reports ABC.

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