SYDNEY, July 21, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Imminent meetings of Asian security forums in Bali will be a 'critical test' of the region's ability to manage tensions in the South China Sea, according to a Lowy Institute strategic analyst. Rory Medcalf, the Director of the Institute's International Security Program, warned that a failure by foreign ministers to discuss openly the region's maritime security problems would marginalise the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF).

Member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations vowed to reject protectionist policies during the economic crisis. The group concluded a summit Sunday declaring their intent to cooperate during the global economic downturn, Xinhua, the official Chinese news agency, reported Monday. The meeting opened with a call for cooperation.

Southeast Asian nations along with Australia and New Zealand have concluded a landmark free-trade agreement in Thailand, participants say.

East Asian environment ministers call for environmentally sustainable cities HANOI, Oct.

First EAS Environment Ministers' Meeting opens in Hanoi HANOI, Oct. 9 (Xinhua) -- The First East Asia Summit (EAS) Environment Ministers' Meeting opens in Hanoi on Thursday, drawing senior environmental officials from 16 EAS nations to discuss regional cooperation on environmental protection.