This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jun/01/south-china-sea-tensions-demand-calming-response-says-labor

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
South China Sea tensions demand 'calming' response, says Labor South China Sea tensions demand 'calming' response, says Labor
(about 9 hours later)
Labor is urging the government to tread carefully in its handling of rising tensions in the South China Sea, after the defence minister Kevin Andrews expressed concerns about China’s move to militarise disputed islands.Labor is urging the government to tread carefully in its handling of rising tensions in the South China Sea, after the defence minister Kevin Andrews expressed concerns about China’s move to militarise disputed islands.
China has reportedly started building up its military presence in the artificially-created islands, believed to be a region rich in oil and gas reserves.China has reportedly started building up its military presence in the artificially-created islands, believed to be a region rich in oil and gas reserves.
Several countries have laid claim to the islands, situated just north of Brunei, and the naval corridor is an important shipping route for Australian vessels.Several countries have laid claim to the islands, situated just north of Brunei, and the naval corridor is an important shipping route for Australian vessels.
Related: Beijing rejects US demands to scale back artificial islands in South China SeaRelated: Beijing rejects US demands to scale back artificial islands in South China Sea
“Australia and our Asian neighbours in particular and others in the region have an expectation of being able to move freely now and in the future in this area,” the deputy foreign minister Tanya Plibersek told ABC radio on Monday. “Australia and our Asian neighbours in particular and others in the region have an expectation of being able to move freely now and in the future in this area,” the shadow foreign minister Tanya Plibersek told ABC radio on Monday.
She urged the government to take a softly-softly approach to China’s land reclamation program.She urged the government to take a softly-softly approach to China’s land reclamation program.
“It’s important that we continue to see freedom of movement in that area, particularly freedom of shipping, but making sure that we use language that calms the situation rather than inflames it is very important,” Plibersek said.“It’s important that we continue to see freedom of movement in that area, particularly freedom of shipping, but making sure that we use language that calms the situation rather than inflames it is very important,” Plibersek said.
“Our contributions should be to ensure that tensions are de-escalated and understandings between the parties continue to improve.”“Our contributions should be to ensure that tensions are de-escalated and understandings between the parties continue to improve.”
Andrews hit out at Beijing’s reclamation program during an Asian security summit in Singapore on Sunday.Andrews hit out at Beijing’s reclamation program during an Asian security summit in Singapore on Sunday.
“We remain concerned by any developments in the South and East China Sea which raise tensions in the region,” he told the summit. “Australia has made clear its opposition to any coercive or unilateral actions to change the status quo in the South and East China Sea. This includes any large-scale land reclamation activity by claimants in the South China Sea.”“We remain concerned by any developments in the South and East China Sea which raise tensions in the region,” he told the summit. “Australia has made clear its opposition to any coercive or unilateral actions to change the status quo in the South and East China Sea. This includes any large-scale land reclamation activity by claimants in the South China Sea.”
Related: South China Sea islands are Chinese plan to militarise zone, claims USRelated: South China Sea islands are Chinese plan to militarise zone, claims US
“We are particularly concerned at the prospect of militarisation of artificial structures,” he continued.“We are particularly concerned at the prospect of militarisation of artificial structures,” he continued.
Andrews urged all the parties involved in the dispute – which include China, Malaysia, Brunei, Vietnam, Taiwan and the Philippines – to sign a code of conduct immediately, in a bid to ease tensions.Andrews urged all the parties involved in the dispute – which include China, Malaysia, Brunei, Vietnam, Taiwan and the Philippines – to sign a code of conduct immediately, in a bid to ease tensions.
“Disputes must be resolved peacefully, and Australia urges all parties to exercise restraint, halt all reclamation activities, refrain from provocative actions, and take steps to ease tensions,” Andrews said. “Because when tensions are high, the risks of miscalculation resulting in conflict are very real.”“Disputes must be resolved peacefully, and Australia urges all parties to exercise restraint, halt all reclamation activities, refrain from provocative actions, and take steps to ease tensions,” Andrews said. “Because when tensions are high, the risks of miscalculation resulting in conflict are very real.”
The opposition leader Bill Shorten echoed the defence minister’s call for multilateral cooperation.The opposition leader Bill Shorten echoed the defence minister’s call for multilateral cooperation.
“The only path to working out all these issues … is through international negotiation and discussion. There’s no other path to long-term peace than that,” Shorten told reporters on Monday. “We’re all in this together”“The only path to working out all these issues … is through international negotiation and discussion. There’s no other path to long-term peace than that,” Shorten told reporters on Monday. “We’re all in this together”
Labor has asked the Coalition for a briefing on the situation in the disputed region.Labor has asked the Coalition for a briefing on the situation in the disputed region.