ARTICLES

This photo taken on August 22, 2023 shows a Chinese coast guard ship (L) shadowing Philippine coast guard ship BRP Cabra closely during the re-supply mission by a civilian boat chartered by the Philippine navy to deliver supplies to Philippine navy ship BRP Sierra Madre in the disputed South China Sea.

6 Sep 2023

China’s Claim on the South China Sea: How Many Dashes Make a Line?

Bill Hayton

China’s new map depicting its claims to the South China Sea has provoked some fierce reactions from its neighbours. The fact is that the “new” map is anything but.

A series of activities to promote traditional Chinese culture were held at the Confucius Temple in Qufu during the World Internet Conference Nishan Dialogue on Digital Civilization.

4 Sep 2023

Reflections on China’s Latest Global Civilisation Agenda

Chang-Yau Hoon|Ying-kit Chan

China’s Global Civilisation Initiative claims to promote inclusivity and cultural diversity. A litmus test of its credibility would be how China has and will deal with variations of cultures and identities that exist within and outside the country.

China China-Southeast Asia relations

30 Aug 2023

Elites vs Citizens: How Singapore and Indonesia are Divided on China

Melinda Martinus

Surveys show that the elite’s opinion toward China diverges with those of citizens in Singapore and Indonesia. Elites tend to weigh long-term geopolitical strategies and have more access to information, but increased citizen engagement will enhance foreign policy.

China China-Indonesia Relations China-Singapore Relations Singapore

It was announced in July that Qin Gang was removed as China's foreign minister and Wang Yi was re-appointed in his stead.

15 Aug 2023

Personnel Changes at China’s Foreign Ministry: Beijing Will Stay the Course on Southeast Asia

Lye Liang Fook

Recent top-level changes at China’s foreign ministry are unlikely to affect Beijing’s foreign policy orientation towards Southeast Asia. The region remains important in light of China’s difficult relationship with the United States and other key countries.

China Diplomacy Southeast Asia

11 Jul 2023

How the Nine-Dash Line Undermines China’s Economic Interests in Vietnam

Le Hong Hiep

China’s controversial nine-dash line claim to the South China Sea is creating problems for its businesses operating in Vietnam.

China South China Sea Vietnam

10 Jul 2023

Quad-lite Makes Right?

Hoang Thi Ha|William Choong

Analyses about the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) tend to focus on its four-way formal structures. An examination of the bilateral and plurilateral interactions between Quad members, as well as those between Quad members and other regional states, suggests that their coalition building is much more nimble and flexible.

China Indo-Pacific Quad

14 Jun 2023

Why China Supports the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone

Hoang Thi Ha

Since 1999, China has expressed its readiness to sign the SEANWFZ Protocol and is the only Nuclear Weapon State willing to do so without reservations. This Long Read explores China’s strategic considerations behind this stance.

ASEAN-China Relations China Nuclear Power

1 Jun 2023

The Shangri-La Dialogue at 20

James Crabtree

In this episode, William Choong, managing editor of Fulcrum, talks to James Crabtree, executive director of the International Institute for Strategic Studies (Asia), the London-headquartered think tank which runs the annual Shangri-La Dialogue. Held annually, the Dialogue covers a broad range of regional security issues. This year, the focus will likely be on the state of Sino-U.S. relations.

China Defence Dialogues at Fulcrum Southeast Asia U.S.

28 Apr 2023

The Global Civilisation Initiative: Are ‘Asian Values’ Back with a Chinese Vengeance?

Hoang Thi Ha

Through its Global Civilisation Initiative, China argues that there are different paths to modernity. While such a view might resonate with Southeast Asian countries, one should not presume that they will jump on the GCI bandwagon.

ASEAN-China Relations China

27 Apr 2023

China’s “Model” Relationship with Southeast Asia: Significance and Limitations

Lye Liang Fook

China’s “model” relationship with Southeast Asia has the effect of constraining the foreign policy options of these countries by prescribing the elements it would like to see in the relationship. A more realistic approach is for countries to grow their ties based on each country’s national interests.

ASEAN-China Relations China