COMMENTARIES

A man takes a selfie in front of the Oriental Pearl Tower

12 May 2021

Book Review: A Cheery Optimism About Asia’s Rise and Its Future

Daljit Singh

The Future is Asian: Commerce, Conflict and Culture in the 21st Century by Parag Khanna is about the rise of Asia, its future prospects and its complex relationship with the West. Notwithstanding occasional analytical lapses, it is an engaging read with many rich vignettes of information and interesting observations.

20 Apr 2021

Upstream Dams Threaten the Economy and the Security of the Mekong Region

Murray Hiebert

The future of the Mekong is under threat from upstream dams. For the river to remain healthy and survive, China and its Southeast Asian neighbours need to find ways to share the Mekong’s water, fish and silt. This will ensure that the Mekong does not become a flashpoint like what the South China Sea has become.

Cambodia China Laos Mekong River Thailand Vietnam

7 Apr 2021

Facing the Ire of 1.4 Billion Chinese Consumers: Cottoning on to Supply Chain Risks

Xiaojun Li

Chinese consumers’ boycott of Western fashion brands for their position on cotton sourced from Xinjiang is a sequel to a long-running series of actions against foreign companies. Southeast Asian firms should take note, and act accordingly.

ASEAN-China Relations China Human Rights

6 Apr 2021

International Law Matters in the South China Sea

Aristyo Rizka Darmawan

China is trying to rewrite international law in the South China Sea.

ASEAN-China Relations China South China Sea

17 Mar 2021

Great Expectations: the Limits of Chinese Vaccine Diplomacy in Southeast Asia

Khairulanwar Zaini

China’s vaccine diplomacy in Southeast Asia may earn Beijing some goodwill, but strategic gains will be limited.

China COVID-19 Health South China Sea Vaccine Diplomacy

17 Mar 2021

The Milk Tea Alliance Confronts China’s Weak Brew

Quinton Temby

Social media movements such as the Milk Tea Alliance are tapping into discontent with the regional decline of democracy and fears about the rise of China as a hegemonic power.

Anti-Chinese Sentiment China Milk Tea Alliance Myanmar Social Media Southeast Asia

4 Mar 2021

Cambodia Embraces China’s Controversial Confucius Institutes

Chheang Vannarith

China’s Confucius Institutes have been vilified in the West, but they have gained much traction in Cambodia. This is not surprising, given Cambodia is one of China's closest allies in Southeast Asia.

Cambodia Cambodia-China Relations China Education

11 Feb 2021

Lunar New Year, Chinese New Year or “China’s New Year”? The Rise of (China’s) Identity Politics

Leo Suryadinata

In multi-ethnic Southeast Asia, the term “Lunar New Year” is more befitting than “Chinese New Year”. The traditional celebration has always transcended ethnicity and national identity.

ASEAN-China Relations China Identity Politics Southeast Asia

Artists perform on stage at the end of the opening ceremony of the ASEAN Summit

10 Feb 2021

State of Southeast Asia Survey: Hopes Brighten Over US Amid Covid-19 Gloom

Terence Chong

Covid-19 is the biggest challenge facing Southeast Asia even as regional confidence in the new Biden Administration grows, according to the latest State of Southeast Asia Survey published by the ISEAS - Yusof Ishak Institute.

ASEAN China Southeast Asia U.S.