‘We won’t yield’: Marcos seeks Australian backing to stand up to China

News Snapshot:

While Mr Marcos did not name China in his speech, he used incredibly frank language for a South-East Asian leader not heard before in Australia’s parliament. The intent was clear, given the growing friction between Beijing and Manila over competing territorial maritime claims. A 2016 ruling by an international tribunal under the Law of the Sea found heavily in the Philippines’ favour, dismissing China’s maritime claims. But Beijing has never accepted the ruling. Mr Marcos said Australia’s backing for the ruling was welcome, as he warned instability in the South China Sea was a threat to world peace and it...