US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has declared the Indo-Pacific will “shape the century” as he reaffirmed America’s commitment to the region, as Japan’s Foreign Minister warned it confronted a “severe security environment” brought on by China’s rise.

Speaking in Melbourne ahead of Friday’s Quad Foreign Ministers’ meeting, where coercive behaviour by China and Russia will be at the forefront of talks, Mr Blinken emphasised the importance of the Indo-Pacific to American interests.