Sources have told The Australian that the Turnbull cabinet is considering freedom of navigation (FON) and overflight exercises in near territories claimed by China in the South China Sea.
By United States Navy [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull discussed the issue with his American counterparts during his recent trip to the United States. A number of Southeast Asian nations have also voiced their support for such exercises, The Australian wrote.
So far, Royal Australian Air Force and Navy assets have stayed outside the 12-nautical-mile territorial waters zones declared by China on its artificial islands. A FON or overflight will see the ships and planes within those zones.