The 30th summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) kicks off on Saturday in Manila, as leaders from the 10 member countries are expected to discuss the future development of the regional bloc. 

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said that mutual respect and cooperation is crucial for the development of ASEAN, especially in dealing with natural disasters and cracking down on drug trafficking. 

ASEAN members should advance cooperation with other partners outside the area, so that the group can better participate in the global economy, he added. 

During the summit, the leaders will discuss the implementation of ASEAN Community Vision 2025 and the way forward, external relations and future directions. They will also exchange views on regional and international issues.

They are expected to sign the ASEAN Declaration on the Roles of the Civil Service as a Catalyst for Achieving the ASEAN Community Vision 2025.

During an interview ahead of the summit, Duterte said that dialogue is the best way to solve the territorial disputes between China and the Philippines over the South China Sea. 

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of ASEAN, which is focused on economic integration and growth, and consensus-building. The theme for this year's summit is "Partnering for Change, Engaging the World."