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The Ministers emphasised the vital importance of responsibly managing strategic competition. They welcomed recent dialogue between the United States and China in this regard. The Ministers reaffirmed the need to promote open channels of communication, transparency and practical measures to reduce risks of misunderstanding, miscalculation, escalation and conflict in our region. They also reaffirmed the importance of adherence to international law and restraint from destabilising behaviour.
The Ministers expressed concern about developments in the South China Sea, and emphasised the importance of maintaining peace, security, stability and freedom of navigation and overflight in and above the South China Sea and East China Sea, consistent with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). The Ministers reaffirmed the importance of the peaceful settlement of disputes in accordance with international law, particularly UNCLOS.
The Ministers reaffirmed the importance of preserving peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait as an indispensable element of security and prosperity in the region.
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Source: Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Authors:
- Senator the Hon. Penny Wong, Minister for Foreign Affairs
- The Hon Richard Marles MP, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence
Format: Press Release
China Policy Research 