Former US admiral says China 'their own worst enemy' as tensions rise in South China Sea

The Olympics, the fall of Kabul and the damage wrought by Delta have all occupied the world's focus in the past few months. But in the waters to Australia's north, foreign navies have been gathering and critical diplomatic deals have been done.

All to ensure China does not control the South China Sea through direct force or by intimidation. "I think that it behooves all of us who are like-minded countries, who support the idea of a free and open Indo-Pacific," former US Indo-Pacific Commander and former US ambassador to South Korea, retired Admiral Harry Harris, told 7.30.

"We should be concerned about China's aggressive actions, not only in the South China Sea, but elsewhere."

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