China has dismissed criticism from the Australian government's defence review
which condemned its activities in the South China Sea, calling on countries not
to "hype up the so-called China threat narrative".
While not directly labelling China a
military threat, the review said China's claims to sovereignty in the contested
area threaten the global rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific, adversely
impacting Australia's national interests.
China has committed to peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific and throughout
the world, according to Mao Ning, a spokesperson for the Chinese foreign
ministry.
Australia, which is undergoing a $19bn defence overhaul, is seeking to
strengthen relationships in the region. |