ASEAN summit signals Australia’s a trusted partner

News Snapshot:

Foreign Minister Penny Wong opened the summit on Monday by warning that South-East Asia’s freedom from domination by any single power was under threat. Last week Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos jnr signalled his country’s willingness – amid Beijing’s maritime bullying in the South China Sea – to join with Australia, alongside Japan, South Korea and Vietnam, in the growing network of strategic partnerships that back continued US engagement to maintain peace, stability and success in the region. ASEAN relies on consensus to manage its internal differences – including views on China and is consequently rarely provocative in public. But ASEAN’s...