In an interview with CNBC, Dr. Geoff Raby explains why ASEAN and Australia have engaged in a summit in Sydney. Dr Raby also compares the different approaches to solving trade issues.

"China has been adopting a very assertive, aggressive foreign policy in Southeast Asia. All Southeast Asian members and Australia have huge interests, of course, economically in China and want stability in the region. But there has to be a balance on China's behaviour the region, and this is a hedging strategy."

"All the ASEANs and Australia have a common cause in keeping markets open. Open markets mean more growth. So this protectionism that's coming out of the US, or at least the rhetoric, is not what they want to see."

This video first appeared on CNBC:

https://www.cnbc.com/video/2018/03/15/asean-australia-summit-unprecedented-former-ambassador.html