AUSTRALIA on Wednesday urged countries such as the Philippines to help shape a stable and inclusive Indo-Pacific by strengthening partnerships, upholding international law and resisting the forces of strategic rivalry.
This was Foreign Minister Penny Wong’s reaffirmation of Canberra’s commitment to a rules-based regional order during her visit to Manila for the 59th Asean Foreign Ministerial Meetings.
At a foreign policy address at De La Salle University addressing an audience of diplomats, academics and students, Wong said Canberra sees both countries as ‘middle powers’ with the capacity to influence the region’s future, rather than simply respond to the actions of larger states. She said Australia seeks ‘a balance of power where no country dominates and no country is dominated,’ adding that: ‘We do not want any single power to set the terms around our future.’
Wong described Philippine-Australian relations as being at their ‘most dynamic,’ citing the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership established by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. The partnership spans defense, maritime security, cyber security, trade, investment and development cooperation.
Recalling Marcos Jr.’s reference to the shared values of bayanihan and Australian ‘mateship,’ the foreign minister said both concepts reflect relationships built through effort, shared sacrifice and collective responsibility.
She likewise underscored the importance of Asean centrality at a time of growing geopolitical uncertainty, noting that this year marks the 50th anniversary of the ‘Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia.’ Wong said the treaty remains a cornerstone of the regional architecture by committing states to mutual respect, territorial integrity, the peaceful settlement of disputes, the renunciation of the threat or use of force, and cooperation despite differences in history and national interests.
‘We are not to be defined by rivalry,’ she insisted, while urging countries to invest in partnerships ‘before crisis closes the door to cooperation.’
‘Not turn inward, but invest…’
WARNING that strategic competition has intensified across the Indo-Pacific, Wong said the risk of miscalculation is increasing as military capabilities expand while mechanisms for dialogue struggle to keep pace.
The Australian government official said the changing strategic landscape demands that countries resist the temptation to turn ‘inward and instead invest’ in stronger regional relationships and greater collective resilience.
Affirming Australia’s support for the rules-based international order, Wong described the 2016 South China Sea arbitral award as a landmark decision and reiterated Canberra’s longstanding support for the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea or Unclos. She said Australia has consistently called for compliance with the ruling and stressed that respect for international law remains essential to preserving sovereignty, stability and the peaceful management of disputes.
The foreign minister also expressed concern over recent developments in the region, including China’s military build-up and missile launch, saying such actions underscore the need for greater transparency and clearer strategic intent to reduce the danger of miscalculation. Australia, she said, will continue to voice concerns over destabilizing conduct in the South China Sea while advocating the peaceful resolution of disputes in accordance with international law.
‘Aussie beef in bistek and caldereta’
REINFORCING regional maritime security, Wong announced that Australia will provide A$160 million over the next decade to expand maritime cooperation with Southeast Asian partners. The initiative includes enhanced maritime domain awareness, improved maritime governance and strengthened civilian maritime capabilities.
She also announced A$18 million in additional bilateral maritime assistance for the Philippines over four years and A$10 million to support drone technology and operator training for the Philippine Coast Guard.
Beyond security cooperation, Wong linked energy security directly to economic resilience, saying recent conflicts have exposed the vulnerability of global supply chains and underscored the importance of reliable access to fuel, fertilizer and food.
She noted Australia’s role as a major supplier of liquefied natural gas, agricultural products and beef to the region, joking that Australian beef often finds its way into Filipino favorites such as caldereta and bistek.
‘We share the region, we share the future,’ she said, emphasizing that regional prosperity depends on open trade and resilient supply chains.
Shaping the future with AI
WONG also outlined Australia’s efforts to deepen cooperation in emerging technologies, including a new artificial intelligence framework designed to capture AI’s economic opportunities while ensuring its safe and responsible use.
She said Australia hopes to work with Asean partners to shape the technology’s future collectively ‘rather than letting [it] shape the future,’ describing digital cooperation as another pillar of regional resilience.
Wong noted that Canberra was Asean’s first dialogue partner and has now been a Comprehensive Strategic Partner for five years. She said Australian ministers have made more than 140 visits to the member countries since the current government took office, while two-way regional trade has reached nearly A$200 billion.
Development cooperation, including the long-running ‘Australia Awards’ scholarship program, remains central to her country’s commitment to helping build stronger institutions and more resilient communities across the region, Wong added.
Australia, she concluded, is prepared to ‘lift and carry our share of the weight’ in addressing regional and global challenges alongside its Southeast Asian partners.