SUMMARY
Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Wednesday, March 6, that maritime security, trade, and clean energy will shape the country’s future with the ASEAN bloc as Beijing looks to increase its presence in the contested South China Sea.
Australia is hosting the ASEAN summit in Melbourne, which marks the 50th anniversary of its ties to ASEAN even as differences remained across the 10-member bloc on China’s plans to extend diplomatic and military presence in the region.
“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.
“To ensure our region is secure, resilient, open, inclusive, and…