Beijing has issued a rather blunt warning to Australia to keep out of the South China Sea, where China has built a series of military bases on reefs and islets.  This comes after Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said that Oz would continue to conduct freedom of navigation exercises in the region.

Earlier this week, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague ruled that China had no historic claim to the waters - which are hundreds of kilometers beyond China's internationally-recognized maritime boundaries - and that Beijing had violated the Philippines' economic and sovereign rights.  China is a signatory to this court, but has bombastically declared it will not abide by the ruling.  The South China Sea is believed to contain a vast treasure of off-shore energy resources, and US$5 Trillion in shipping traffic passes through the waters annually.

Ms. Bishop told the ABC radio earlier this week that China should abide by the UN ruling and Australia would continue freedom of navigation exercises.  And Beijing blew a valve.

"Honestly speaking, I'm a bit shocked at Bishop's comments," said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang, adding that Beijing has formally protested Ms. Bishop's "wrong remarks".  He also said he "hoped" does nothing to harm regional peace and stability, and "not treat it as a game," Lu added.