ASEAN Summit opens as Philippines, Australia sign defence pact

The 49th Association of Southeast Asian Nations Summit and Related Summits kickstarts in Manila today with energy security, food security, transnational crime and economic cooperation high on the agenda.

A new defence pact was signed between the Philippines and Australia in a move to further deepen their security ties amid China's growing military presence in the region.

Southeast Asian leaders are welcomed at Manila's heavily guarded convention centre Sunday.

They include Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, Prime Minister of Thailand Anutin Charnvirakul, Prime Minister of Singapore Lawrence Wong, Prime Minister of Malaysia Anwar Irahim and the King and Sultan of Brunei, Hassanal Bolkiah.

Heads of international organisations including the United Nations and the International Monetary Fund are also greeted by the Philippine President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr., the chair of ASEAN 2026, and First Lady Louise Marcos.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva attend the opening ceremony as guests of the Chair.

A key moment of the three-day event include the unveiling of an updated ASEAN emblem as Timor-Leste has joined the regional bloc.

In his address, Marcos urges ASEAN to partner up with the world to craft a coherent and organised response to global challenges.

"This year, the Cebu Protocol marked another step in that journey, reflecting an ASEAN of 11 that has shaped the future together. This year we strengthen maritime cooperation and our response to trafficking, cybercrime, online scams and other transnational threats," he said.

"We brought our economies closer to the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement, progress on the ASEAN power grid, stronger trade and supply chain links, and greater support for our MSMEs and creative industries."

Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. welcomes Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to witness the signing ceremony of a defence cooperation agreement between the two countries. Manila says it will be an "anti-red tape measure" for implementation of the bilateral Status of Visiting Forces Agreement and pave the way for closer military cooperation.

Australia has backed a 2016 ruling by an international arbitral tribunal that China's claims in the South China Sea have no basis under international law, which Beijing rejects.

Albanese notes the arrangement with the Philippines will increase strategic dialogue, enhance information sharing as well as defence infrastructure development, while announcing additional Australian investment in maritime domain awareness.

Philippine officials say Chinese Premier Li Qiang is to meet with ASEAN leaders on Monday but will depart before the arrival of US President Donald Trump, who is expected to join the final talks with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

Meanwhile, arrests are made near the ASEAN venue after a walkout is staged to protest the Pax Silica initiative and Trump's upcoming visit.

Activists are seen marching with caricatures that mock the Republican president. Some of their banners read "Reject Unequal Agreements! Trump Out!"

One demonstrator is carried away by officers and taken into a vehicle.

{no signoff}

{###}

{49th ASEAN Summit opens in Manila as Philippines, Australia sign defence pact}