BBC Online: US President Barack Obama has said that Asia’s security must not be based on intimidation where big nations bully small ones. Mr Obama told students in Brisbane, Australia – where he is attending the G20 summit – that security in the region must depend on mutual alliances. He said there was “no question” over US commitment to its Asia-Pacific allies. The two-day G20 summit, which is getting under way, will focus on promoting growth. World Leaders are expected to expand on plans agreed in February at the G20 finance ministers’ meeting to boost global economic growth by 2% in five years. Speaking just ahead of the meeting, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon also urged those attending to meet the challenges posed by Ebola, climate change and the unresolved conflict in Ukraine. Russian President Vladimir Putin is expected to face a hostile reception from some Western leaders concerned about Russia’s increasing military assertiveness. Speaking on the fringes of the summit on Saturday, President Obama said Russia’s “aggression” towards Ukraine was a “threat to the world” – citing the downing of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 as proof. Security in the Asia-Pacific region, meanwhile, must depend on international law and the peaceful resolution of disputes, he said. “We believe… that any effective security order for Asia must be based not on spheres of influence, or coercion or intimidation where big nations bully the small, but on alliances for mutual security, international law and norms that are upheld, and the peaceful resolution of disputes,” Mr Obama told students at Brisbane’s University of Queensland. He warned of the dangers posed by territorial disputes in the South China Sea, where what is seen as Beijing’s assertiveness has raised concern among its neighbours. He also used the speech to announce that the US would contribute $3bn (£1.9bn) to an international fund to help poor countries cope with the effect of climate change. ‘Any subject’ Earlier Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott said world leaders would use the summit to discuss job creation, identifying tax cheats and strengthening the global economy. His government had tried to keep climate change off the agenda, despite calls from campaigners. But speaking to leaders on Saturday, Mr Abbott said: “Obviously I would like this discussion to focus on the politics of economic reform. “In the end, though, this is your retreat, it is open to any of you to raise any subject that you wish.”
