Australia calls for compliance with international law in East Sea issue

Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs Marise Payne (Photo: Getty Images)

Hanoi (VNA) –Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs Marise Payne has affirmed Australia’sposition which is guided by principled support for international law and the 1982United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

In a statementregarding the ruling of the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA), which isbased in The Hague (the Netherlands) on July 12, 2016, on disputes in the EastSea, Payne stated that the 1982 UNCLOS sets out the legal framework withinwhich all activities in the oceans and seas must be carried out. 

“It contains clearrules that apply to all countries for maritime claims, the lawful uses ofmaritime spaces, including freedom of navigation and overflight, and thepeaceful resolution of disputes,” the statement wrote.

A Vietnamese vessel in the East Sea (Photo: VNA)

The AustralianGovernment has consistently called on the parties to the arbitration to abideby the Tribunal’s decision.

Payne stated that thePCA’s ruling found that China’s claim to ‘historic rights’ or ‘maritime rightsand interests’ established in the ‘long course of historical practice’ in the EastSea, internationally known as the South China Sea, were inconsistent with the1982 UNCLOS and, to the extent of that inconsistency, invalid.

Adherence tointernational law is fundamental to the continuing peace, prosperity andstability of the region, she said, adding that it allows all states – big andsmall – to resolve disputes peacefully.

The minister pledgedthat Australia will continue to support the right of all countries to seek toresolve disputes peacefully and in accordance with international law, includingthe 1982 UNCLOS./.

VNA