Ahead of her visit to Beijing on Wednesday, Australia's Foreign Minister Julie Bishop has taken a tough stance against China's actions in the South China Sea.

Speaking at the Japanese National Press Club in Tokyo, Bishop categorically stated that she would seek an explanation from China over its massive island construction in South China Sea.

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"China has every right to enjoy greater strategic influence consistent with its economic weigh, however China should act in a way that contributes to regional and global stability", she said.       

"While we take no position on competing claims in the South China Sea, Australia's commitment to freedom of navigation and overflight consistent with international law is unshakeable."

Bishop is on a two-day visit to Japan and China. She is currently in Tokyo where she held an hour-long meeting with Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida on Tuesday. She is slated to leave for Beijing where she will be meeting her Chinese counterpart Wang Yi.

Australia's plan to increase submarine cooperation with Japan is expected to be one of the talking points when Bishop meets Wang Yi in Beijing.

Australia's Foreign Minister, however, shrugged off any possibility that China will have a problem with this issue, as Canberra will be very transparent about its submarine program with Japan.        

Bishop said that she also plans to raise the 'North Korea' issue with Wang.

TagsAustralia, china, Japan