Minister vows ‘single power’ won’t set country’s future

The foreign minister warned Australia must continue to work with its neighbors to thwart the threat from other external powers.

Penny Wong will make her first major speech since the escalation of conflict in the Middle East to ask the Philippines and neighboring countries to work more strategically with Australia.

“The strategic landscape has changed. Artificial intelligence is reshaping the foundations of our societies and the nature of conflict,” He is expected to say so on the sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations on Thursday.

“Australia sees our responsibility as helping to shape this change.

“We do not want a single power to determine the conditions of our future.”

The speech will come just weeks after China launched a nuclear-capable missile for testing in the South China Sea.

Australia was given warning a few hours before launch.

China is rapidly building its nuclear arsenal and has given Pacific countries little information about its capabilities or plans.

“China’s test of a nuclear-capable submarine-launched missile from the South China Sea earlier this month came with little information or notification, particularly to the Philippines over which the missile flew and Pacific countries near where the missile landed,” Senator Wong will say.

“We therefore support the international practice established by the Hague Code of Conduct when it comes to ballistic missile activities,” he will say of a law signed by more than 145 countries, including the United States.

While in Manila, he met with his Chinese counterpart on the missile issue.

Senator Wong will also talk about how artificial intelligence is changing the global geopolitical landscape and urge the Philippines to continue to step into Australia’s footsteps.