Foreign minister promises Asian nations Australia will remain a ‘reliable’ partner with open markets

Foreign Minister Penny Wong has promised South-East Asian nations that Australia will be a “reliable” partner with open markets, as the region grapples with the Trump administration’s aid cuts and tariff threats. Senator Wong also criticised China’s aggressive behaviour in the South China Sea and its military build-up, warning the Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN) that Beijing is intent on changing the balance of power in Asia. Foreign ministers from the ten-member ASEAN have gathered in Kuala Lumpur for an annual meeting, along with top officials from other countries, including US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign…