Overview

• Wong reiterated Australia’s “steadfast support” for ASEAN centrality, multilateralism and rules-based trade during the Kuala Lumpur foreign ministers’ meeting.
• She distanced Australia from US protectionist trade policy, pledging to collaborate with ASEAN on conflict prevention and strengthen economic resilience through the Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to 2040.
• Canberra unveiled a $10 million humanitarian package for Myanmar, directing $6 million to rapid disaster response and $4 million to the UN Population Fund for displaced women and girls.
• The foreign minister cautioned against China’s rapid nuclear and conventional military build-up, urging greater transparency to maintain regional balance.
• On the summit sidelines, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio held a “very constructive” meeting with China’s Wang Yi, underscoring ongoing US-China engagement at ASEAN.