T he celebrations over our bilateral trade agreement with China have the potential to be ruined before the ink is dry if the Turnbull Government blunders any further into rising tensions in the South China Sea.
The guided missile destroyer USS Lassen is understood to have sailed last week within 12 nautical miles of at least one of the artificial islands created on reefs in the Spratly Islands, which China has claimed as its territory.
As the so-called "freedom of navigation" exercise took place, the US reportedly had an aircraft carrier task force close by.
The Chinese Government, understandably, saw the US action as provocative and urged President Barack Obama to think twice before acting that way again.
Australian Defence Minister Marise Payne strongly supported Washington in a public statement. The Turnbull Government was too quick and too strident in its backing of the US in this matter.
It is undeniable that the US is an important ally of Australia. However, China is also of extreme importance to our nation.
Two Australian warships were reportedly in China for live-firing exercises with the People's Liberation Army Navy this week. Australia is the only country that takes part in live-firing drills with China -- a sign of the close and peaceful relationship our two countries enjoy.
There was some suggestion that the warships should be diverted towards the disputed islands to take a route similar to USS Lassen.
If the Federal Government is even remotely considering sending an Australian warship to the South China Sea to sail close to the Chinese reclaimed islands, it should think again.
We should not follow the provocative actions of the US. This has nothing to do with Australia. Our relationship with China should be about trade -- nothing positive can come of sending a warship up there.
Australia should stay out of this issue.
If we are to have any involvement, it should be in a diplomatic sense -- helping China and its neighbours come to a peaceful resolution of the situation. Calm heads are needed in China and the US. 
The Chinese would be wise to be more transparent in their dealings with their neighbours over the issue and their intentions. The US should not be blatantly provocative.
One thing we know is that, so far, this has not impacted on trade shipping lanes.
They are still open and it makes sense that China will not jeopardise trade by blocking ships.
It is likely that China might be upset and offended just by the prospect of us sending a ship into this dispute. 
The Foreign Minister and Prime Minister should make it clear now that Australia has no intention of doing such a thing.
We must not risk our hard-won bilateral trade agreements on this issue.