China must help protect the international system that helped its growth, Foreign Minister Julie Bishop has told a lecture in London, again hinting at the firm stance on the South China Sea Australia took in its Foreign Policy White Paper.
Canberra's first Foreign Policy White Paper in 14 years, published last November, focused on the rise of China and established Australia as a defender of the rules-based international order, and made a commitment to promote free and liberalised trade globally.
Speaking at Kings College in London on Monday (early Tuesday AEDT), Ms Bishop invited the UK to join Australia to "work together to enhance peace and prosperity under the international rules-based order" particularly focusing on the Indo-Pacific region where, with "unsettled territorial disputes and pre-existing rivalries dating back decades, even centuries, peace and stability cannot be taken for granted".
China can credit its rapid economic growth to this rules-based international order that was established following the "chaos" of World War II, Ms Bishop said.
"It is vital that China plays a constructive role commensurate with its standing," she said. "With greater power and wealth comes a responsibility to protect and strengthen the very system which supported that rise.
"The rules-based order will quickly fray, indeed it will fray, if it is perceived that advantage can be gained by flouting it or working around it."
Ms Bishop faced criticism from China after the white paper was released, when the country's largest trading partner complained about the document's remarks about Beijing's actions in the South China Sea as "irresponsible".
While not explicitly mentioning the disputed territory again, Ms Bishop made it clear in her speech that Australia is firm on the issue.
"As a global trading nation, the UK has the same strong interest in free and open access to regional global maritime commons as any other nation," the foreign minister said.
Ms Bishop also warned against rising protectionism.
"History has proven that protectionism is the pathway to economic decline and decay. However, that has not prevented populist leaders beating that drum."
She welcomed regional infrastructure funding from China via its One Belt, One Road policy, but said funding arrangements, particularly with Pacific Island nations, must be transparent and commercially sustainable.
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