Australian Senator backs freedom of navigation exercises in South China Sea

CANBERRA - Reports that the Australian and U,S, Governments have discussed Australia engaging in freedom of navigation exercises in the South China Sea have been welcomed by Liberal Senator Eric Abetz, a member of the Senate Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Committee.  Abetz is a long-time proponent of Australia engaging in freedom of navigation exercises in the region to ensure the continued stability in Asia-Pacific.

“China’s actions in the South China Sea put at risk the stability in the Asia-Pacific Region and as a key player, we should be forthright in putting our views forward and demonstrate a full preparedness to follow through with those views and embark on freedom of navigation exercises,” Senator Abetz said.

“If the Australian Navy were to embark on such an exercise, it would follow similar exercises by the United States and a planned exercise by the United Kingdom and send a strong signal not only to China but to the world that we are prepared to call out breaches of the rules for what they are.”

“I am pleased that the Government is giving deep and genuine consideration to this issue.”  https://abetz.com.au (ATI).