Southeast Asian leaders have begun their annual meeting in Bali, Indonesia, with security concerns and Burma's bid to chair the organization in 2014 expected to dominate the discussions.

Host President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono also stressed the need for sustained economic growth in his opening remarks Thursday to leaders from the 10 Association of Southeast Asian Nations members.

The 10 ASEAN members will be joined later this week by the heads of eight regional powers, including U.S. President Barack Obama, who on Wednesday announced plans to station up to 2,500 U.S. Marines in Australia.

Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa told reporters in Bali Thursday that the deployment must be handled in a transparent way so there are no misunderstandings.

The appropriateness of the deployment has already been questioned by China, which is engaged in a diplomatic dispute with neighbors Vietnam and the Philippines over conflicting claims in the South China Sea. The issue is expected to be discussed at the summit.

Mr. Yudhoyono said he is encouraged by a preliminary agreement on the issue reached between China and ASEAN members at a meeting earlier this year.

The summit leaders must also deal with a recommendation from their foreign ministers that they approve a bid by Burma to chair ASEAN in 2014.

Reuters news agency Thursday quoted a spokesman for Burma's opposition National League for Democracy, headed by Aung San Suu Kyi, saying the NLD believes the move would help advance the Burmese government's cautious moves toward democracy.