Navigating potentially turbulent waters

China and the South China Sea topped the agenda during top-level US-Australia talks in Washington. Greg Austin explains why the strategic waterway is increasingly contested.

China and South China Sea dominate Aust-US defence talks

Australia’s defence and foreign ministers have met their US counterparts in Washington DC for talks, with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo praising Australia for standing up to China despite “coercive pressure from the Chinese Communist Party to bow to Beijing’s wishes”.

A US Navy drill in the South China Sea last month. Photo supplied

Australia tipped to join US in South China Sea exercises

Australia is set to join the United States in military exercises through the South China Sea, after branding Beijing’s maritime claims to the disputed waters unlawful.

US set for conflict over South China Sea

US President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for secretary of state has set a course for a potentially serious confrontation with Beijing, saying China should be denied access to islands it has built in the contested South China Sea.