“The Asean countries have been discussing this and I believe they’ve made their position quite plain that they would be deeply concerned if there was any attempt to impose an air defense identification zone over the South China Sea,” Bishop said in an interview in Canberra on Monday, referring to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.
The Philippines said its patrol planes have been warned recently by China to stop flying over the Spratly island area. Bishop said she had spoken to senior leaders in China and urged them to avoid actions that raise tensions.
“Our important trade routes are through the Indian Ocean and through to the north, so we’re very keen than countries settle any disputes peacefully, that there’s no unilateral action and we express our views publicly and privately with the countries involved,” she said.
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