Leaders from fifteen Southeast Asian nations are set to meet in Melbourne to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Australia's association with the ASEAN summit, highlighting the region's commitment to strengthening security and economic ties amidst concerns over China's influence. The meeting, described as the largest gathering of world leaders in Australia in five years, aims to counter China's destabilizing activities in the region, including its maritime assertiveness in the South China Sea. Ahead of the summit, Australia and the Philippines, under Marcos Jr and Albanese, have solidified their relationship through a new maritime security deal, emphasizing a shared vision for regional stability. This move comes as the Philippine foreign minister, Enrique Manalo, calls for a peaceful resolution to maritime disputes with China, urging Beijing to 'stop harassing us' and highlighting the Philippines' readiness to push back against any infringement on its sovereignty. China's embassy has condemned the Philippine envoy's remarks, amidst claims of economic coercion. The ASEAN-Australia summit in Melbourne is seen as a crucial step for Canberra, led by Anthony Albanese, to carve its own path in regional diplomacy and security, amidst ongoing tensions and diplomatic challenges in the Indo-Pacific. The Philippines has also called on the U.S. to defend them from Chinese maritime militia ships infringing on its sovereignty.
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr said his country will cooperate with China despite increased tensions, but would push back when its sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction in South China Sea are ignored https://t.co/k8AbBrHMal
Philippines foreign minister urges China to 'stop harassing us' https://t.co/zbN4Lsscsg
It's the biggest meeting of world leaders in Australia in five years. So what is the ASEAN-Australia summit? https://t.co/n46oa2kapL
#China's maritime militia ships are boosting their presence near the #Philippines outpost at 2nd Thomas Shoal China has been blockading the shoal, which is in the Philippines Exclusive Economic Zone. https://t.co/Wkxsc6SVQ4
⚠️ PHILIPPINES WILL PUSH BACK AGAINST CHINA IF MARITIME INTERESTS IGNORED, MARCOS SAYS (Reuters) Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr on Monday said his country will cooperate with China in areas where their interests align but would push back when its sovereignty,… https://t.co/wmXbAT9SW6
Philippine foreign minister urges neighbors to stand together more strongly in South China Sea https://t.co/IyYWSF8G3X
Philippine Foreign Minister Enrique Manalo has said that his country wants to solve maritime disputes with China peacefully — but delivered a simple message to Beijing: "Stop harassing us." https://t.co/UDv6wFM4ej
🇵🇭🇨🇳 BREAKING: PHILIPPINES CALLS ON U.S. TO DEFEND THEM FROM CHINESE SHIPS IN DISPUTED WATERS Philippine foreign minister Enrique Manalo told Bejing to "stop harassing" the Philippines after Chinese research vessels were spotted on its east coast. Calling on foreign allies,… https://t.co/NHEzsCLfcy
China moves 15 maritime militia ships + several Coast Guard (war)ships in “potential blockading force” around Philippines outposts https://t.co/0GgDFRgROK
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese may be met with some bad blood this week when he hosts ASEAN leaders in Melbourne, following a diplomatic fight over the pop superstar’s Eras Tour. > https://t.co/yrxASBYiWm https://t.co/jrS13I31Ad
"Stop harassing us" Philippine foreign minister Enrique Manalo tells @AFP that his country wants to solve maritime disputes with China peacefully -- but delivered a simple message to Beijing: "stop harassing us" https://t.co/d8LdF6rq72 https://t.co/Wp1SORuBs1
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has played down the likelihood of ASEAN members taking a hard line on China after it emerged the country's spies were targeting Australians, with the conference instead to focus on trade and economic development. https://t.co/maXjVeke4f
Australia will use a historic meeting of southeast Asian leaders in Melbourne to forge stronger security and economic ties to counter China’s destabilising influence in the region. > https://t.co/kTsp5TIn7E https://t.co/Oy39FA0hCg
China hits back at Philippine envoy over economic coercion claims https://t.co/4fbn63w0Da
A gathering of Southeast Asia's regional leaders in Melbourne this week shows how Canberra wants to carve its own path. https://t.co/PKOsZm7xZn
China's embassy criticizes Philippine envoy's comments on South China Sea https://t.co/ts5u2BSwMz https://t.co/AcCFNjH9iF
China’s Embassy Condemns Philippine Envoy’s Remarks on South China Sea https://t.co/cYl2FZvqPq
China's embassy condemns Philippine envoy's remarks on South China Sea https://t.co/uPnxkUfbwy https://t.co/uumroynvbH
#China’s embassy in the #Philippines says it “strongly” condemns the Philippine ambassador to #Washington’s recent China-related remarks, saying they “disregarded basic facts”. https://t.co/pKaXkkSbea
#China is not only strengthening its #naval capabilities; it is also maintaining strong #defence relationships with states in the #IndianOcean region and conducting regular #maritime exercises in the Ocean. From Harsh V Pant & @gs_aditya https://t.co/9SkhzufKX0
#Australia, #Philippines in firm and fast lockstep against #China Marcos Jr and Albanese further strengthen ties with new maritime security deal and agreement to promote a shared vision for the region. Ahead of the special Australia-ASEAN summit in Melbourne, Philippine… https://t.co/Yw414Rkaqv
Leaders from fifteen southeast Asian nations will converge in Melbourne for a meeting to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Australia’s association with the ASEAN summit, says Sky News Political Editor Andrew Clennell. https://t.co/vYRtzx9qhq