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Boxers Chaves, Fajardo advance to next round in World Qualification tourney

RONALD CHAVEZ, JR. wasn’t even born yet when his father and boxing mentor Ronald Sr. and uncle Arlo made it to the 1992 Barcelona Olympics.

That’s why the 24-year-old son and nephew of the former Asian Championship and Southeast Asian Games gold medalists knows how heavy the weight he will carry in order for him to make it to the same destination his elders went — the Olympics.

And he’s getting there though.

Showing the same trademark grit and ferocity of the Chavez family, Mr. Chavez, Jr. took the first of the many necessary steps towards barging into this July’s Paris Games as he edged Cape Verde’s Bruno de Fernandes de Barros in the World Qualification Tournament in Busto Arsizio, Italy Tuesday.

He survived the opening round by the skin of his teeth as he battled and scraped for the 3-2, split decision victory that set him up against Jordan’s Zeyad Eashash, who trounced Tajikistan’s Shokhobzhon Shukurov, 4-1, in the round-of-32.

The young Mr. Chavez will need to hurdle Mr. Eashash and two more rivals to make it to the semifinals where he will automatically book a ticket to the Paris-bound bus and continue the family tradition.

More impressive was 19-year-old Mark Ashley Fajardo, an Asian Games veteran who hammered out a sensational third-round knockout win over Portuguese Albertino Monteiro in the men’s 63.5kg division to likewise stay in the Olympic hunt.

Like Mr. Chavez, Jr., Mr. Fajardo would need to win three more bouts including one against Colombian Jose Manuel Viafara Fory, a 3-2 winner over Italian Gianluigi Malanga, in the round-of-32, to earn a spot to the quadrennial summer sports spectacle.

The pair thus joined Tokyo silver winner Nesthy Petecio and Olympian Rogen Ladon to the next round.

And expect more in the coming days as John Marvin (92kg), Aira Villegas (women’s 50kg), Claudine Veloso (women’s 54kg) and Hergie Bacyadan (women’s 75kg) have yet to wade into battle.

The country is eyeing more Olympic qualifiers like early entrants pug Eumir Marcial, pole vaulter EJ Obiena and gymnasts Carlos Yulo and Aleah Finnegan. — Joey Villar

Cavaliers overcome 22-point deficit in fourth, stun Celtics

DEAN WADE scored 23 points and Jarrett Allen finished with 21 points and 12 rebounds to help the short-handed Cleveland Cavaliers overcome a 22-point, fourth-quarter deficit and beat the visiting Boston Celtics 105-104 on Tuesday night.

The Celtics trailed by one point when Cleveland’s Darius Garland was called for a foul on Jayson Tatum with 0.7 seconds to play, but the Cavaliers challenged the call and it was overturned. The loss ended Boston’s 11-game winning streak and its eight-game road winning streak.

Cleveland took a 105-104 lead on a Wade dunk with 19.1 seconds to play. The Cavaliers outscored the Celtics 34-17 in the fourth.

Tatum had 26 points and 13 rebounds. The Celtics received 24 points and nine rebounds from Kristaps Porzingis and 21 points from Jaylen Brown.

Cleveland was within four after Garland capped a 7-0 spurt with a 3-pointer that trimmed Boston’s lead to 69-65 with 5:02 left in the third quarter, but the Celtics outscored the Cavaliers 18-6 in the remainder of the frame and had an 87-71 advantage heading into the fourth. — Reuters

Australia, SE Asian nations call for restraint in South China Sea

REUTERS

MELBOURNE/SYDNEY — Australia and Southeast Asian nations ended a three-day summit on Wednesday calling for restraint in the contested South China Sea and a lasting ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.

Australia hosted a summit with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in Melbourne to mark the 50th anniversary of its ties to the bloc, even as differences remained across the 10 members on China’s plans to extend diplomatic and military presence in the region.

A joint statement by Australia and ASEAN called for “rules-based” order in the Indo Pacific, as Beijing looks to increase its presence in the South China Sea.

“We recognize the benefits of having the South China Sea as a sea of peace, stability, and prosperity,” the statement said.

“We encourage all countries to avoid any unilateral actions that endanger peace, security and stability in the region.”

The statement comes as the Philippines on Tuesday summoned China’s deputy chief of mission in Manila to protest at what it called “aggressive actions” by Chinese naval forces against a resupply mission for Filipino troops stationed on a South China Sea shoal.

Beijing claims almost the entire South China Sea, a conduit for more than $3 trillion worth of ship-borne commerce each year, and is a major source of tension with the Philippines.

Both countries have been locked in a territorial dispute despite a 2016 ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration which found that China’s claims had no legal basis. Beijing rejects that ruling.

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, during a press conference with Albanese on Monday, said there was a growing “China-phobia” in the West. In an interview published on Tuesday in the Sydney Morning Herald newspaper, Anwar claimed the risk of conflict in the South China Sea had been exaggerated.

The joint statement also reiterated concern over the “dire” humanitarian situation in Gaza, as well as calling for the release of hostages held in the Israel-Hamas conflict.

“We condemn attacks against all civilians and civilian infrastructure, leading to further deterioration of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza including restricted access to food, water, and other basic needs,” the statement said.

“We urge for an immediate and durable humanitarian ceasefire.”

ASEAN includes Muslim majority nations, Malaysia, Indonesia and Brunei, while Australia is a strong backer of Israel, although it has previously called for a ceasefire and been critical of the level of casualties. — Reuters

Trump, Biden dominate Super Tuesday contests

RAWPIXEL.COM-FREEPIK

PALM BEACH, Florida/HUNTINGTON BEACH, California — President Joseph R. Biden and former President Donald Trump swept to victory in statewide nominating contests across the country on Tuesday, setting up a historic rematch in November’s general election despite low approval ratings for both candidates.

Mr. Trump won the Republican votes in a dozen states — including delegate-rich California and Texas — brushing aside former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley, his lone remaining rival, whose campaign no longer has a viable path to the nomination. Her only win of the night thus far came in Vermont, Edison Research projected.

After a commanding performance across 15 states where more than one-third of Republican delegates were up for grabs on Super Tuesday, Mr. Trump had all but clinched his third consecutive presidential nomination, despite facing a litany of criminal charges.

Mr. Trump and Mr. Biden trained their focus on each other as the results became clear. In a victory speech delivered at his Mar-A-Lago estate in Florida, Mr. Trump attacked Mr. Biden’s immigration policies and called him the “worst president” in history.

“November 5th is going to go down as the single most important day in the history of our country,” Mr. Trump said.

In a statement, Mr. Biden again cast Mr. Trump as a threat to American democracy. “Tonight’s results leave the American people with a clear choice: Are we going to keep moving forward or will we allow Donald Trump to drag us backwards into the chaos, division, and darkness that defined his term in office?” Mr. Biden said.

Mr. Biden had been expected to sail through the Democratic contests, though a protest vote in Minnesota organized by activists opposed to his forceful support of Israel attracted unexpectedly strong results. 

The “uncommitted” vote in Minnesota stood at nearly 20% with more than half the estimated vote counted, according to Edison, higher even than the 13% that a similar effort in Michigan drew last week. Mr. Biden nevertheless won Minnesota and 14 other states, including a mail-in vote in Iowa that ended on Tuesday.

He did suffer one loss, in the US territory of American Samoa’s caucus, where entrepreneur Jason Palmer won 51 votes to Mr. Biden’s 40, according to the American Samoa Democratic Party.

Another campaign between Mr. Trump, 77, and Mr. Biden, 81 — the first repeat US presidential matchup since 1956 – is one few Americans seem to want. Opinion polls show both Biden and Trump have low approval ratings among voters.

Immigration and the economy were leading concerns for Republican voters, Edison exit polls in California, North Carolina and Virginia showed. A majority of Republican voters in those states said they backed deporting illegal immigrants. Mr. Trump, who frequently denigrates migrants, has promised to mount the largest deportation effort in US history if elected.

Katherine Meredith, a 65-year-old homemaker, voted for Mr. Trump in California’s Huntington Beach.

“The border is a complete catastrophe,” she said.

WEAKNESSES
Voters were also casting ballots in down-ticket races, including a contest in California to identify potential successors to the late Democratic US Senator Dianne Feinstein.

In Arizona, independent US Senator Kyrsten Sinema, a former Democrat, said she would not run for reelection, setting up a battle for her seat that could determine control of the closely divided Senate next year.

In North Carolina, Trump-endorsed Lieutenant Governor Mark Robinson won the Republican nomination for governor. Robinson, who would be the state’s first Black executive, has drawn criticism for harsh comments about LGBTQ people, women and Muslims.

He will face Democratic Attorney General Josh Stein in what will be one of the most hotly contested governor races in the country.

Pop megastar Taylor Swift encouraged her fans to vote in a post on Instagram, though she did not endorse specific candidates. Mr. Biden’s campaign is hopeful Ms. Swift will eventually back his candidacy, as she did in 2020.

Ms. Haley’s challenge has highlighted some of Mr. Trump’s potential general election vulnerabilities. She has reached 40% in some state contests, performing particularly well among independent, well-educated and suburban voters who could play a crucial role in battleground states in November.

About one-third of North Carolina voters said Mr. Trump would not be fit to serve as president if he was convicted of a crime, while in Virginia, 53% said he would be fit for the office if convicted.

Mr. Trump is scheduled to begin his first criminal trial on March 25 in New York, where he is charged with falsifying business records to conceal hush money payments to a porn star during his 2016 presidential run.

In addition to the New York case, Mr. Trump faces separate federal and Georgia state charges for election interference, though it is unclear whether either case will reach trial before November’s election. He also faces federal charges for retaining classified documents after leaving office.

Mr. Trump has pleaded not guilty in all four criminal cases.

Mr. Biden faces his own weaknesses, including widespread concern about his age. He is already the oldest US president in history. — Reuters

Gaza’s hungry await aid despite convoy deaths amid dispute over supplies

PALESTINIANS wait to receive food cooked by a charity kitchen amid shortages of food supplies in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip, Jan. 16, 2024. — REUTERS

GENEVA/JERUSALEM — Crowds of men ran through rubble-strewn Gaza City streets past fires and bullet-riddled cars in hope of reaching a rare aid convoy, risking their lives to get food for starving families as famine looms five months into Israel’s military campaign.

Aid delivery in the Palestinian enclave has collapsed, with only a fraction of the food needed getting in and very little reaching the northern areas where hospitals say children have started dying of malnutrition. Last week the Palestinian health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza said Israeli forces killed 118 people trying to get aid from a convoy near Gaza City with survivors saying they were shot at. Israel said most of those killed were trampled or run over during a panic.

The deaths drew a new focus on what has gone wrong with aid in Gaza, where the United Nations (UN) complains of “overwhelming obstacles,” while Israel says it is doing all it can and that the UN is ultimately responsible for delivery.

“Is there a father in the world who can see his children writhing in hunger in front of him and remain silent, even if the price is risking his life?” said Ahmed al-Talbani, looking for the aid in Gaza City, shouting and gesticulating as he spoke in a video obtained by Reuters.

“Trucks have crushed people, tanks crushed people, shells rained down on people, machine guns were fired over people’s heads. Does this satisfy anyone,” he said.

Despite hunger approaching catastrophic levels in parts of Gaza, and large quantities of aid sitting waiting in warehouses to be delivered, the flow of supplies has slowed to a trickle.

Before the conflict, Gaza relied on 500 trucks entering daily. The Palestinian refugee agency UNRWA said on Friday that during February an average of nearly 97 trucks were able to enter Gaza each day, compared with about 150 a day in January.

One big problem is insecurity inside Gaza, as five months of war have destroyed many of the institutions that underpinned social order in the enclave.

Some convoys have been seized by people seeking food, and any convoys moving into northern Gaza require Israeli coordination for safe conduct through checkpoints and areas with fighting.

The UN has repeatedly complained about lack of access and says Israel is responsible for facilitating aid delivery.

“All we are asking for is safe passage so that we can deliver aid,” said Jenny Baez, emergency response officer at UNRWA, the main UN agency working in Gaza. Israel has accused UNRWA of complicity in the Oct. 7 attack that triggered the war, which UNRWA denies.

Palestinian police, who previously helped secure routes, have stopped doing so after Israeli strikes killed at least eight of them, UNRWA has said.

AIR DROPS
Shimon Freedman, the spokesperson for COGAT, the Israeli military branch that handles aid transfers, said it provided coordination for convoys, facilitating tactical corridors, and embeds officers with trucks to ensure passage.

However, he said distribution and security were ultimately up to aid agencies and the United Nations. “The security of the convoys themselves are the responsibility of the UN agencies operating on the ground,” he said.

With land routes into Gaza hard to access, countries including the United States have started doing air drops, which Mr. Freedman said Israel supported.

Parachutes holding large crates of aid drifted down towards a Gaza beach early on Tuesday, Reuters video showed.

Aid agencies however say air drops are an inefficient way to bring in supplies, as they deliver less than trucks can carry and may not provide relief for those hardest hit.

Last week, Israel also began working with private contractors to deliver aid to shelters in northern Gaza.

“Organisations on the ground don’t have the infrastructure or sufficient infrastructure at the moment to maintain or to have the same capacity of distribution as we have for inspection and bringing the aid into Gaza,” Mr. Freedman said.

As a way around that, he said, “we have been facilitating and coordinating connections between private contractors”.

It was one of those convoys that became of the focus of last week’s disaster, which the Palestinian Health Ministry described as a massacre and which Israel called a tragedy.

The World Health Organization (WHO) said the rate at which children under 2 years old in Gaza were becoming malnourished compared to three months earlier was unprecedented, suggesting “a serious and rapid decline”.

WHO head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said “we appeal to Israel to ensure humanitarian aid can be delivered safely and regularly”. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken also urged Israel to maximize “every possible means” to get humanitarian assistance into Gaza, describing the situation as unacceptable.

In Gaza City, the men waiting for food say they have been shot at repeatedly by Israeli forces but have little choice but to keep approaching aid trucks.

“We came because of hunger, not to fight. We are not terrorists or saboteurs … our homes do not have food. There is no bread,” said Wafi al-Batran, as men gathered behind him around a fire.

“We will stay here until we can return to our children with food,” he said. — Reuters

Cuba turns off some of its public lighting as energy crisis worsens

HAVANA — Cuba has switched off nearly three-quarters of public lighting during peak hours to cope with a growing energy shortage, state media reported on Tuesday, as hopes to reverse a deepening economic crisis dim.

The blackouts, which disrupt daily life and the economy, have plagued the Communist-run country for several years but have worsened in recent months due to a lack of fuel and the need to maintain decrepit infrastructure.

Minister of Energy and Mines Vicente de la O Levy told a council of ministers meeting the measure was one of many that included shuttering thousands of state services and shifting production to lessen the blackouts roiling the country, according to state media.

The import-dependent country has been mired in a deepening economic crisis that has seen gross domestic product decline 10% since 2019.

The government largely blames Trump-era US sanctions targeting foreign currency earners tourism, medical services and remittances and compounded by the pandemic, rising shipping costs and faltering efforts to restructure a centralized and state dominated economy.

The shortage of foreign exchange to import food, medicine, fuel and other essentials appears to have worsened so far this year, official figures showed.

Mr. De la O Levy said last month that Cuba has only received 46% of the planned fuel imports, causing long blackouts across the land, with the exception of the capital Havana.

A phone survey of five of 14 provinces indicated residents were enduring daily six to 12 hour blackouts, broken up into two tranches.

Yurkina Gracial, a 40-year-old state employee in eastern-most Guantanamo province said by phone “the power goes out for four hours twice a day and it is unbearable because of the heat.”

At the other end of the Caribbean island, in Pinar del Rio province, restaurant owner Jaime Carrillo said power outages were running up to eight hours per day.

“Blackouts always complicate your daily work,” he said.

“For example, liquids and meats suffer from defrosting in refrigerators.” — Reuters

Navalny died his own death, Russian spy chief says

REUTERS

MOSCOW — Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny died his own death, Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) chief, Sergei Naryshkin, was quoted as saying on Thursday.

“I don’t think this was some kind of special plan, but unfortunately, people have a peculiarity: sooner or later life ends, they die. Navalny died a natural death, yes,” Russian news agencies said he told a television interviewer.

He was answering a question about whether any forces in the West had been involved in Mr. Navalny’s death.

Mr. Naryshkin said he found vocal reactions in the West to Mr. Navalny’s death “revolting.”  “Of course, it is quite revolting when satanic dances are performed in the West around Navalny’s coffin,” he was quoted as saying. “It is immoral, low and unethical. What else is there to say? It was totally predictable.”

Mr. Navalny, Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin’s most prominent opponent, died last month, aged 47, in an Arctic penal colony. His supporters alleged he had been murdered. The Kremlin has denied any state involvement in his death. — Reuters

Philippines’ former first lady Imelda Marcos in good condition in hospital

SCREENSHOT FROM THE KINGMAKER

MANILA — Former Philippine first lady Imelda Marcos, mother of the incumbent president and widow of the late strongman Ferdinand Marcos, is in better condition in hospital, her daughter, Senator Imee Marcos, said on Wednesday.

The 94-year-old, renowned for amassing more than a thousand pairs of shoes and a vast collection of jewels during her husband’s 20-year autocratic rule, was put on antibiotics as she suffered from fever and slight pneumonia, her son had said.

“She is OK,” her daughter, Imee Marcos, told reporters. “No more fever but we are being careful because of her age.”

She added, “I think she’s all right,” but did not say when her mother would leave hospital.

On Tuesday, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr said his mother, being treated in hospital for the fever and pneumonia, was in good spirits and had no difficulty breathing.

Imelda Marcos and her family have been accused of looting more than $10 billion from the impoverished Southeast Asian country in bank deposits, shares, jewelry, art and property before her husband was ousted by a popular uprising in 1986.

They fled to exile in Hawaii, where the elder Marcos died in 1989. Imelda Marcos and her children returned to the Philippines in 1991, retaining their influence with vast wealth and far-reaching connections, and wasted no time climbing back to power.

In the last three decades, the government has recovered about half of the wealth the family and its associates were accused of plundering.

Imelda Marcos was charged with civil and criminal crimes, but some cases were dismissed, and a 2018 graft conviction remains under appeal. — Reuters

Philippine central bank says too early to declare victory against inflation

BANGKO SENTRAL ng Pilipinas Governor Eli M. Remolona, Jr. — BANGKO SENTRAL NG PILIPINAS

MANILA – Philippine central bank Governor Eli Remolona said on Wednesday it was too soon to declare victory against inflation.

Annual inflation quickened to 3.4% in February from 2.8% the previous month reflecting higher food and transport costs.

The central bank, which last month kept its benchmark rate steady at 6.50% for a third straight meeting, will review policy settings on April 4.

Mr. Remolona told a regular briefing the central bank could not say yet that it could cut interest rates soon given upside risks to inflation like higher rice prices.

But he also said it was unlikely the central bank will tighten rates some more. — Reuters

BNI Elite: Elevating businesses by collaborating with experts and innovative ventures

BNI Elite has once again demonstrated its commitment to fostering success with a triumphant showcase at the Business Exposition held at Vista Mall, Taguig from March 1 to 3. This event marked the launch of the e-commerce website, Marisellph.com, a groundbreaking platform powered by BNI Elite and designed to spotlight the exceptional products and services offered by its members.

The collaboration between BNI Elite and Marisellph.com brings an extra layer of assurance to customers. BNI Elite is a network of accomplished business professionals known for their commitment to excellence and unparalleled expertise in their respective fields. By having BNI Elite members as merchants on Marisellph.com, customers can trust in the authenticity and reliability of the products offered.

“We want Marisellph.com to be more than just an e-commerce platform; we want it to be a destination where customers can discover and indulge in products that enhance their lifestyle. This collaboration with BNI Elite enhances our commitment to delivering excellence and convenience,” added Kristine Lim, BNI Elite Chapter president and owner of a premier fruit store, Dolce Frutta.

During the event, BNI Elite also showcased a powerhouse of experts among their members who shared invaluable insights. At the forefront were Atty. Joana Pasion of Prime Meridian HR Consulting, Rob Soliman of Rocketship Designs, Ern Ynion of HSY Consulting Services and Solutions, and Joy Sy of Digital Hog, each shedding light on key facets of startup success.

Navigating HR Compliance Landscape:

One of the cornerstones of any successful startup is understanding and adhering to HR compliance. Atty. Joana Pasion underscored the importance of creating a robust framework for human resources within startups. She emphasized how compliance is not just a legal requirement but a strategic move that fosters a positive workplace culture, and ensures long-term business sustainability.

Choosing the Right Digital Platforms for Business Growth:

In an era dominated by digital transformation, Rob Soliman of Rocketship Designs shared insights on selecting the most effective digital platforms for different businesses. He delved into the diverse landscape of digital tools, illustrating how the right platforms can revolutionize operations, enhance customer experiences, and drive overall business growth.

Embracing Efficiency through System Integration:

Ern Ynion, a technology evangelist, emphasized the pivotal role of technology in streamlining startup operations. By leveraging the latest technological advancements, startups can not only stay ahead of the curve but also position themselves for sustainable growth. His insights underscored the transformative power of FREEmium technology as a catalyst for efficiency and innovation in the startup ecosystem.

Maximizing Marketing Through Social Media:

No startup journey is complete without a robust marketing strategy, and Joy Wong-Sy shared her expertise on maximizing marketing efforts through social media. She highlighted the dynamic landscape of social media platforms, offering practical tips on crafting compelling content, engaging with audiences, and maximizing these for more effective marketing strategies.

For businesses seeking an unparalleled network that goes beyond traditional boundaries, BNI Elite is the answer. Elevate your business by becoming a part of BNI Elite — where referral power meets innovation.

About BNI Elite: BNI Elite is a premier business networking organization dedicated to connecting businesses with the best in their respective fields. With a focus on referral excellence and innovation, BNI Elite provides a dynamic platform for members to thrive in the ever-evolving business landscape. To attend their meeting and interact with the members, visit their FB Page BNI Elite — Taguig, Philippines and send a message.

 

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French ‘Spiderman’ scales tower to support Philippines’ South China Sea claims

People watch as urban climber Alain Robert, also known as the "French Spiderman" descends the G.T. International Tower after climbing to its top in Makati, Metro Manila, Philippines, March 5, 2024. -- REUTERS/Eloisa Lopez

MANILA – A free climber known as the “French Spiderman” scaled a Manila skyscraper on Tuesday to support the Philippines’ maritime claims in the disputed South China Sea.

Frenchman Alain Robert, who has scaled more than 150 structures worldwide, including Dubai’s Burj Kalifa and France’s Eiffel Tower, drew a crowd and disrupted traffic in the Philippine capital’s financial district.

He climbed the 47-storey GT Tower without a harness, and was promptly arrested after successfully descending from the skyscraper.

Robert said he climbed to raise awareness on the maritime disputes between the Philippines and China in the South China Sea.

“I know that there is tension, you know, with the Philippine Sea, and then just to remind people that the sea and the islands belongs to the Philippines and no one else, so that’s the purpose of my ascent today,” Robert said, without explaining why he was drawn to the cause.

Robert climbed the same skyscraper in 2019. He was arrested and fined 1,000 pesos ($18) for his stunt.

The Philippines accused China of “dangerous manoeuvres” on Tuesday that led to a collision between its coast guard ship and a Chinese vessel.

The incident was the latest in a series of maritime run-ins between the Philippines and China, which have been locked in a territorial dispute in the South China Sea despite a 2016 ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration which found that China’s claims had no legal basis. Beijing rejects that ruling.

Manila financial district employee Andy Vergarra, who watched Robert’s ascent, said his climb was “very frightening”.

“Just watching him up there already makes me sweat. It’s making me squeamish,” Vergarra said. — Reuters

ASEAN summit focus on maritime security, trade amid South China Sea tensions

In this photo illustration, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) emblem is seen on a smartphone screen in front of the ASEAN flag. — PAVLO GONCHAR / SOPA IMAGES/SIPA VIA REUTERS CONNECT

MELBOURNE/SYDNEY – Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Wednesday that maritime security, trade and clean energy will shape the country’s future with the ASEAN bloc as Beijing looks to increase its presence in the contested South China Sea.

Australia is hosting the ASEAN summit in Melbourne, which marks the 50th anniversary of its ties to ASEAN even as differences remained across the 10-member bloc on China’s plans to extend diplomatic and military presence in the region.

“Australia commits to working with you to make sure the principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity, equality, and independence are upheld,” Albanese said in his speech at the three-day summit which will conclude later on Wednesday.

“To ensure our region is secure, resilient, open, inclusive, and prosperous,” he said.

Albanese said both Australia and the Association of Southeast Asian Countries (ASEAN) must work together to turn their natural connection into a more practical cooperation on marine sustainability and security.

The comments come as the Philippines on Tuesday summoned China’s deputy chief of mission in Manila to protest at what it called “aggressive actions” by Chinese naval forces against a resupply mission for Filipino troops stationed on a South China Sea shoal.

Beijing claims almost the entire South China Sea, a conduit for more than $3 trillion worth of ship-borne commerce each year, and is a major source of tension with the Philippines.

Both countries have been locked in a territorial dispute despite a 2016 ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration which found that China’s claims had no legal basis. Beijing rejects that ruling.

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, during a press conference with Albanese on Monday, said there was a growing “China-phobia” in the West. In an interview published on Tuesday in the Sydney Morning Herald newspaper, Anwar claimed the risk of conflict in the South China Sea had been exaggerated.

The summit is expected to release a joint declaration later on Wednesday that would outline ASEAN’s position on the Israel-Gaza war and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, media reported. — Reuters

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