MANILA — Australia renewed its call for a rules-based Indo-Pacific on Wednesday as Foreign Minister Penny Wong warned that recent developments involving China—from a ballistic missile test to the latest confrontation near Ayungin Shoal—risk undermining regional peace and stability.
Speaking to journalists during the ASEAN Post-Ministerial Conference in Pasay City, Wong said Australia has already raised its concerns directly with Beijing, including in discussions with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.
She described China’s recent missile test as a destabilizing move and said Canberra is equally troubled by the incident in the West Philippine Sea in which a Philippine Navy serviceman was injured during an encounter with Chinese Coast Guard personnel.
Wong emphasized that Australia will continue supporting an international order anchored on respect for international law, saying all nations, including major powers, should be held to the same standards.
She also underscored ASEAN’s important role in promoting diplomacy and shaping expectations for responsible behavior in the region, particularly as maritime disputes continue to challenge regional security.
Calling for greater cooperation among Southeast Asian nations and their partners, Wong said countries must remain united in encouraging peaceful dialogue and insisting on safe, professional conduct in both maritime and aerial encounters.
She stressed that lasting peace cannot be taken for granted and warned that destabilizing actions should be met with a collective commitment to uphold international law and preserve stability across the Indo-Pacific.
