2016 DEFENCE WHITE PAPER

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CHAPTER TWO: STRATEGIC OUTLOOK
SECTION ONE STRATEGY
2.77 Australia does not take sides on competing territorial claims in the
South China Sea but we are concerned that land reclamation and
construction activity by claimants raises tensions in the region. Australia
opposes the use of artificial structures in the South China Sea for
military purposes. Australia also opposes the assertion of associated
territorial claims and maritime rights which are not in accordance with
international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of
the Sea (UNCLOS).
2.78 Australia has called on all South China Sea claimants to halt land
reclamation and construction activities, which involves the dredging
of sea floor material for use as landfill in creating artificial structures.
Australia has also called on all claimants to exercise self-restraint, take
steps to ease tensions and refrain from provocative actions that could
increase tension and uncertainty in the region. Australia is particularly
concerned by the unprecedented pace and scale of China’s land
reclamation activities.
2.79 It is important that claimant countries are open and transparent about
the end state purposes of land reclamation activities. The absence of
an agreed framework for managing the competing claims in the South
China Sea highlights the importance of ASEAN and China agreeing to a
Code of Conduct for the South China Sea as soon as possible.
2.80 Australia is committed to working with the countries of South East Asia,
and with the United States, Japan, the Republic of Korea, New Zealand,
India and China to support security, development and growth. The
further development of regional forums, including the East Asia Summit,
as mechanisms for supporting security and facilitating transparency and
cooperation will be important for future stability. We will also continue
to work with the United States to support its strategic rebalance which
is an essential part of the enduring role the United States will play as a
stabilising force in the Indo-Pacific.