China on Tuesday urged Australia not to take sides on the South China Sea disputes, Xinhua reported.
"We hope that Australia will stay committed to not taking sides on issues concerning disputes over sovereignty," said Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hong Lei at a routine press briefing.
Australia's new Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said on Monday China's actions, including the construction of military bases on reclaimed atolls, could draw neighbours closer to the United States.
"My own view and the government's view is that China would be better advised, in its own interests frankly, not to be pushing the envelope there and that is why there's been resistance against that activity.
"You would think what China would seek to achieve is to create a sufficient feeling of trust and confidence among its neighbours that they no longer felt the need to have the US fleet and a strong US presence in the western Pacific," the prime minister said.
The situation in the South China Sea is generally stable, said Hong.
China is having bilateral talks with nations concerned to resolve the disputes and working with ASEAN nations to safeguard peace and stability in the South China Sea, he said.
Hong said China hopes Australia will respect these efforts and safeguard regional peace and stability with practical actions.
