Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull on Wednesday called China's recent military buildup in the disputed South China Sea as "counterproductive." 

"They are counterproductive, regardless of the legal merits on which we do not express a view nor make a claim," Turnbull said. 

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The Australian PM's statement is seen as a sign of a growing strain between Canberra and Beijing over the issue of South China Sea. 

For years, Australia had to finely balance its foreign policy on South China Sea in order to pacify both China and United States. The foreign policy challenge was even more daunting for Canberra, given that China is its largest trading partner.

However, China's economic importance did not prevent Australia from making a paradigm shift in its foreign policy on disputed waters.

Late last year, when the US launched the freedom of navigation operation to control China's assertive action in South China Sea, Australia came out uncharacteristically to back the US.

This was followed up with Australia taking a critical stance over China's missile deployment in Woody Island, which further confirmed that Canberra had tilted towards the US. 

However, experts are optimistic that both countries will try to address the trust deficit issue when Turnbull visits China next month. Experts say that Australia and China are very well aware that all the great things achieved during decades of friendship can be undone if their relation continues to get strained.

Contentious Issue of South China Sea

Last year, reports started coming in that China is carrying extensive construction activities on artificial islands of South China Sea. Drawing ire from other claimants and the US, who called China's action "highly provocative." In response, the US launched the 'freedom of navigation' operation to keep tabs on China's activities. 

TagsSouth China Sea, Australia, Australia and China, Malcolm Turnbull, disputed waters, US-China relations, canberra