ARTICLES

12 Jun 2024

Chinese in Malaysia: Proud of China’s Rise, Yet Fiercely Malaysian

Peter T. C. Chang

Chinese Malaysians are proud of China’s rise as a great power. But they have also forged a separate cultural identity quite apart from China’s efforts.

5 Jun 2024

Southeast Asia and Trump 2.0(?): Agency Amid Anxiety

Ford Hart

Southeast Asian countries exercised significant agency in protecting their geopolitical interests during Donald Trump’s presidential administration. They would be likely to do so again if there were a second.

China China-U.S. Relations U.S. U.S. Foreign Policy U.S.-ASEAN Relations

A farmer harvesting pineapples in Pingtung county.

23 May 2024

Taiwan’s Economic Pivot Towards Southeast Asia: Bolstering Regional Support for Status Quo

Hoang Thi Ha|Pham Thi Phuong Thao

Taiwan is seeking to diversify its economy’s dependence on China towards a greater focus on Southeast Asia. This would yield benefits in more ways than one.

China Southeast Asia Taiwan

17 May 2024

China’s Supposed “Change” in Policy Towards Chinese Overseas: Nothing to See Here

Leo Suryadinata

Recent remarks by a senior Chinese leader about Beijing’s position towards foreign nationals of Chinese descent (huaren) appears to show some change in official policy. But Beijing has largely taken a consistent position.

China china politics

3 May 2024

Cambodia’s Outreach to the West Does Not Change China’s Centrality

Lye Liang Fook

The view that Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet is recharting foreign policy — by reaching out to Western countries and relying less on China — is overblown. China remains Cambodia’s closest friend due to its inside track to the Cambodian elite and its pervasive influence in Cambodia’s economy.

Cambodia Cambodia-China Relations China International Relations Southeast Asia

26 Apr 2024

China’s Engagement with the Myanmar Junta: A High Cost, Low Returns Deal

Sithu

As the situation in Myanmar approaches a possible climax, one external actor has the chance to act not only to save its national interest but also to influence future outcomes in its chaotic neighbour.

China China-Myanmar Relations Myanmar Myanmar Military

25 Apr 2024

The China-Philippines Bilateral Consultation Mechanism on the South China Sea: Has it Worked for China?

Lye Liang Fook

The China-Philippines Bilateral Consultation Mechanism (BCM) was established in May 2017 to discuss issues of mutual concern in the South China Sea and explore possible areas of cooperation. However, rising tensions in the SCS between China and the Philippines, compounded by the Taiwan issue, have hindered the BCM’s ability to fulfil its original objectives.

China China-Philippine Relations Philippine South China Sea

18 Apr 2024

Southeast Asia and the Chip Wars: Navigating a Decoupling World

John Lee

The race for some Southeast Asian countries to anchor themselves in the global semiconductor industry is open and evolving, even as it is complicated by factors like great power rivalry.

China China-U.S. Relations Southeast Asia Technology U.S.

16 Apr 2024

Analysing Prabowo Subianto’s Visits to China, Japan, and Malaysia

Leo Suryadinata|Siwage Dharma Negara

A defence minister’s courtesy calls take on a different significance, albeit only slightly, when he will take over as Indonesia’s president in a matter of months.

China Indonesia Indonesia Foreign Policy Japan Malaysia