Asean-Australia summit to decry 'threat or use of force' in region

Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong welcomes the Secretary of Foreign Affairs of the Philippines Enrique A Manalo to a forum on maritime cooperation at the Asean Special Summit, in Melbourne on March 04, 2024. - AP

MELBOURNE: Leaders from South-East Asian nations and Australia gathered in Melbourne on Monday (March 4) are expected to denounce the "threat or use of force" to settle disputes in the region, a collective swipe at China.

"We strive for a region where sovereignty and territorial integrity is respected," a draft joint Asean-Australia statement obtained by AFP read.