ASEAN summit focus on maritime security, trade amid South China Sea tensions

As Beijing seeks to bolster its influence in the disputed South China Sea, Australia’s prime minister Anthony Albanese stated on Wednesday that commerce, renewable energy, and marine security will determine the future of the nation’s relationship with the ASEAN bloc.

Despite disagreements among the 10 members of the group about China’s intentions to increase its military and diplomatic presence in the area, Australia is hosting the ASEAN summit in Melbourne to commemorate its 50th anniversary of membership in the organisation.

“Australia commits to working with you to make sure the principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity, equality, and independence are upheld,” Albanese said in his speech at the three-day summit which will conclude later on Wednesday.

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“To ensure our region is secure, resilient, open, inclusive, and prosperous,” he said.

According to Albanese, Australia and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) need to collaborate in order to transform their innate relationship into a more useful alliance focused on maritime security and sustainability.

In response to what it described as “aggressive actions” by Chinese naval forces against a resupply operation for Filipino troops stationed on a South China Sea shoal, the Philippines on Tuesday summoned China’s deputy head of mission in Manila.

Beijing is a key source of conflict with the Philippines and claims virtually all of the South China Sea, which is a route for shipborne commerce worth over $3 trillion annually.

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Both countries have been locked in a territorial dispute despite a 2016 ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration which found that China’s claims had no legal basis. Beijing rejects that ruling.

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, during a press conference with Albanese on Monday, said there was a growing “China-phobia” in the West. In an interview published on Tuesday in the Sydney Morning Herald newspaper, Anwar claimed the risk of conflict in the South China Sea had been exaggerated.

The summit is expected to release a joint declaration later on Wednesday that would outline ASEAN’s position on the Israel-Gaza war and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, media reported.