Australia is considering joint patrols with Indonesia in the disputed South China Sea, Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said Tuesday, in a move set to irk Beijing. The possibility was raised by Jakarta during meetings between Bishop and Defense Minister Marise Payne and Indonesian officials including Defense Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu last week. “We have agreed to explore options to increase maritime cooperation and of course that would include coordinated activities in the South China Sea and the Sulu Sea,” Bishop told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. “This is all consistent with our policy of exercising our right of freedom of navigation and that’s in accordance with international law.”

Australia, Indonesia mull joint South China Sea patrols (2016, November 2). The Manila Times, pp. A1, A2.