More at https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-11-14/ ... n/12883088The Morrison Government is about to unveil several new development initiatives to reassert Australia's influence in South-East Asia as China continues to expand its presence across the region.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison will make the commitments over the weekend at two crucial regional meetings: the ASEAN-Australia Summit and the East Asia Summit.
Both summits are being held virtually because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The ABC has been told Mr Morrison will promise to expand Australia's development assistance in South-East Asia by announcing several new programs designed to improve health, governance and infrastructure.
The announcements will include a series of new health programs for the region, as well as an initiative to provide "high-calibre advice" to South-East Asian governments on infrastructure funding.
China's Government has poured billions of dollars into major infrastructure projects across South-East Asia.
The Australian Government is particularly anxious about the proliferation of Chinese-backed dams along the vast Mekong River, wreaking environmental devastation in countries like Laos and Cambodia.
The Prime Minister will also unveil a major development program designed to build "economic resilience" in Mekong basin countries, and a new initiative to help South-East Asian nations implement free trade agreements.
It's not yet clear how much money the Government will funnel into the new programs, but sources from two South-East Asian countries said they expected it would be a substantial commitment.
He's going to give "high calibre" advice? Sorry but
If he plans on doing anything other than to suck up to China his new friend Biden won't be helping.