SYDNEY, May 12 (Reuters) - Australia on Thursday backed the United States in its so-called freedom of navigation operation close to a disputed reef in the South China Sea, a patrol China has denounced as an illegal threat to peace.
U.S. guided missile destroyer the USS William P. Lawrence on Tuesday travelled within 12 nautical miles (22 km) of Chinese-occupied Fiery Cross Reef, in an operation undertaken to challenge excessive maritime claims by China, Taiwan and Vietnam which were seeking to restrict navigation rights in the South China Sea. has consistently supported U.S.-led freedom of navigation activities in the South China Sea, where Beijing has been adding land reclamation to islands and reefs in waters claimed by several regional countries. states have a right under international law to freedom of navigation and freedom of overflight in the South China Sea," Foreign Minister Julie Bishop told Australian Broadcasting Corp Radio on Thursday.
"I understand that the United States was simply exercising this right as it does from time to time and that this was a routine operation."
China and the United States have traded accusations of militarising the South China Sea as China undertakes large-scale land reclamation to create artificial islands and construction on disputed features while the United States has increased its patrols and exercises.
Facilities on Fiery Cross Reef include a 3,000-metre (10,000-foot) runway which the United States worries China will use to press its extensive territorial claims at the expense of weaker rivals.