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China overtakes the U.S. as the most favored ally in Southeast Asia
A majority of Southeast Asians would align with China over the U.S., but some countries still prefer Washington due to concerns over Beijing's South China Sea claims.
The survey conducted by the ASEAN Studies Centre found that most Southeast Asians would prefer to align with China over the U.S. if they had to choose sides.
Key Takeaways
- A majority of Southeast Asians would align with China over the U.S., but some countries still prefer Washington due to concerns over Beijing’s South China Sea claims.
- China has emerged as the most strategically relevant partner for ASEAN, surpassing the U.S., while Japan remains the most trusted major power in the region.
- Southeast Asians expressed concerns over China’s economic and military power, and highlighted the need for ASEAN to build resilience against pressures from both the U.S. and China.
The survey conducted by the ASEAN Studies Centre at ISEAS–Yusof Ishak Institute in Singapore gathered responses from 1,994 participants from various sectors in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), with the highest number of participants from Singapore and Indonesia.
The survey showed that China is considered the most strategically relevant partner for ASEAN, surpassing the U.S., while Japan remains the most trusted major power in the region.
Despite this, there is still some distrust towards China due to concerns about its economic and military power. China has become the most strategically relevant partner for ASEAN, surpassing the U.S., while Japan remains the most trusted major power in the region.
However, many Southeast Asians fear unemployment and an economic recession, with concerns heightened by geopolitical tensions and global macroeconomic uncertainty. The survey also highlighted the hope for major powers to cooperate and engage more closely with ASEAN. Additionally, recent diplomatic activities showed China’s efforts to strengthen relations with countries in the region.
