ARTICLES

3 Jun 2022

‘Doomed to Fail’: Chinese Media Dismisses the U.S.’s ASEAN Diplomacy

Wang Zheng

Chinese state media have negatively portrayed Washington’s recent moves to court ASEAN diplomatically and economically, but the one-sided narrative that Beijing trots out belies the region’s careful reception of both great powers amidst their growing rivalry.

6 May 2022

The Liberal Order’s Illiberal Turn: Implications for Southeast Asia

Lee Sue-Ann

The clash of online opinions surrounding Russia’s invasion of Ukraine reveals support for pro-Russia, pro-Putin narratives in Southeast Asia. Untangling why such rhetoric is attractive points to deep dissatisfaction with the existing liberal international order. Southeast Asia can play a part in helping the world avoid worse alternatives.

ASEAN-China Relations ASEAN-U.S. Relations International Relations Russia Ukraine

12 Apr 2022

Russia’s War Against Ukraine: Why Hard Power Matters

James Bosbotinis

Russia's invasion of Ukraine provides the context for Washington to strengthen its alliances and partnerships across the Asia-Pacific, including in Southeast Asia.

ASEAN-China Relations ASEAN-Russia Relations ASEAN-U.S. Relations Security Ukraine

25 Mar 2022

How to Solve the South China Sea Disputes

Bill Hayton

This Long Read argues that Southeast Asian states have an interest in recognising each other’s de facto occupation of specific features and then presenting a united position to China. The historical evidence of physical acts of administration suggests that, with some important exceptions, the current occupiers of each feature have the best claim to sovereignty over it.

ASEAN-China Relations Maritime Security South China Sea

24 Mar 2022

U.S.-China Rivalry in Regional Economic Cooperation: Opportunities and Challenges for ASEAN

Sithanonxay Suvannaphakdy

China’s membership in the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and the prospect of its accession to the CPTPP further increase China’s role in supporting the rules-based multilateral system to which the U.S. is making a steady but selective comeback.

Asean Trade ASEAN-China Relations ASEAN-U.S. Relations China-U.S. Relations

22 Mar 2022

China and Chinese Overseas: A Softer Soft Policy Needed?

Tan Chee-Beng

This Long Read describes China’s soft power in relation to Chinese overseas who as a whole constitute a potentially important resource for it.

ASEAN-China Relations China Education

21 Feb 2022

Polite Wolves: China’s Soft Twitter Diplomacy in Southeast Asia

Darren Cheong

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.

ASEAN-China Relations China

18 Feb 2022

The State of Southeast Asia Survey

China Should Build Trust Where it Matters

Joanne Lin

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.

ASEAN-China Relations China Diplomacy State of Southeast Asia Survey

16 Feb 2022

The State of Southeast Asia Survey

2022 State of Southeast Asia Survey: Diverse Perspectives and Hard Realities

Terence Chong

The US has gained ground against China in the contest for regional influence in Southeast Asia, according to the latest State of Southeast Asia Survey. ASEAN continues to be seen as ineffective in the eyes of respondents; at the same time, they are willing to give it credit when it is due.

ASEAN ASEAN-China Relations ASEAN-U.S. Relations Climate Change COVID-19 State of Southeast Asia Survey

3 Dec 2021

The ASEAN-China Comprehensive Strategic Partnership What’s in a Name

Hoang Thi Ha

ASEAN’s decision to establish a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with both China and Australia demonstrates its desire to maintain equilibrium in its relations with all major powers and foster an inclusive multi-polar regional order.

ASEAN ASEAN-China Relations