Australia has shrugged off China's criticism against non-claimant states of the South China Sea as it said it must remain concerned about developments in the waters because Canberra is part of the Indo-Pacific region.

Australian Ambassador in Manila HK Yu expressed on Friday night, Sept. 13, Canberra's stand about the sea row when asked about China's pronouncement that supposed outsiders are not party to the South China Sea issue must not interfere in the ongoing dispute.

At a reception in her residence, Yu said that Australia is monitoring developments at sea because it is a regional issue, and "Australia is part of the region."

"But beyond that, you will notice that even many countries outside the region are passionate about this issue, and it's because the South China Sea is a very important international waterway for the whole world," she added.

Yu said Australia is conducting not only bilateral but also multilateral partnership with like-minded countries to ensure that “when it comes to maritime states, we are doing everything we can to emphasize the importance of international law and adhering to it.”

On the other hand, Yu also lauded the Philippines and Japan’s recent signing of Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA) that would eventually allow the exchange of troops of both sides.

Japan is the second country with which the Philippines has RAA after Australia. Tokyo and Canberra also have their own RAA.

“Now what that means in practice is that it will make cooperation much easier because there's a standard agreement,” she said.

“And it will mean that the trilateral or bilateral agreement between Japan and the Philippines will be so much easier. And all those countries that have those agreements amongst us, whether it's trilateral or multilateral, it's just going to make be so much easier and seamless,” she added.

The Philippines, Australia, Japan and the United States are also forming a quadrilateral alliance to tackle threats at sea and prepare for disaster response.

The Philippines and the US have had a Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) that has already allowed the exchange of troops and military training exercises between the two countries.

Regarding China, Australia believes that the Philippines must still pursue a productive relationship with Beijing, but it must prioritize its national interest.

“Like Australia, the Philippines needs to have a productive relationship. And that's exactly what Australia is trying to do,” she said.

“You know, we've worked very hard to stabilize the relationship, and both my Prime Minister and Foreign Minister used this phrase that: We will agree where we can, we will disagree where we must, but at all times, Australia will actually work in our own interest… our national interest,” she added.

Yu believed that is the Philippines’ approach as well.