The State of Southeast Asia survey finds that, on balance, a majority of Southeast Asians view Chinese CPTPP membership positively, for the world economy and for China. 53.2 per cent of ASEAN respondents perceive that having China in the CPTPP will provide economic benefits to China, the United States, and other CPTPP partners.
Category Archives: Commentaries
Indonesia’s ‘New’ Security Approach in Papua is Fraught with Risks
The Indonesian military has proposed a ‘softer’ and more ‘humanistic’ approach in dealing with the restive security situation in Papua. But this could be ill-advised and premature.
Of Parachutes and Helicopters: Reconstructing the Decolonisation Agenda in Environmental Research
There is an intrinsic North-South divide in environmental research, which is also felt in Southeast Asia. There needs to be a mindset change to roll back some of these inequalities.
Digital Surveillance in Thailand: When Pegasus Takes Flight
The Thai regime is reportedly using spyware to extract personal information from the mobile devices of political dissidents. The use of digital intrusion and repression reinforces Thailand’s autocracy in the face of challenges from the political opposition.
Southeast Asians’ View of Quad and AUKUS: Some Thaw, But Not Yet Warm
In recent years, the United States has sought to involve its middle-power friends and allies in various regional initiatives to counter a rising China. Southeast Asia continues to have mixed feelings about this.
Thailand’s Vision to Become A Rail Hub: A Long Shot
Thailand has ambitious plans to become a rail hub in mainland Southeast Asia. But successful implementation of the plan is a different thing altogether.
Thammanat versus Phalang Pracharat: Who Will Win?
Controversial Thai politician Thammanat Prompow is proving his mettle as an adept political fixer and could well emerge as kingmaker at the next elections.
Polite Wolves: China’s Soft Twitter Diplomacy in Southeast Asia
China’s diplomats have gained fame on Western social media platforms for their strident ‘wolf warrior’ discourse. But the strategy is not applied uniformly across all countries. In fact, they have taken a more polite tone towards Southeast Asian countries.
The CLMV Countries and RCEP: Will They Grasp the Opportunities?
Like all members of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam will enjoy preferential access to the expansive region’s markets. As the least developed members, however, they will have to undergo the greatest changes in reforming their tariff and non-tariff policies to meet the requirements of this modern agreement.
China Should Build Trust Where it Matters
The majority of Southeast Asians continue to regard China as the most influential political, strategic and economic power in the region. But wariness of this state of affairs has not gone away.