ARTICLES

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

22 Mar 2023

China’s Brokering of Iran-Saudi Rapprochement Signals Global Security Initiative Is Working

Ma Bo

Beijing’s mediation of the historic rapprochement between Saudi Arabia and Iran is a sign that its much-vaunted Global Security Initiative is working. The bigger challenge is bringing the GSI into action with respect to the war in Ukraine.

22 Feb 2023

The Chinese Offer of a Global Security Initiative: Anything New?

Zha Daojiong

Zha Daojiong articulates the key principles of China’s Global Security Initiative (GSI) and what it means for ASEAN.

ASEAN ASEAN-China Relations ASEANFocus China Security

22 Feb 2023

Is ASEAN’s Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Becoming A Farce?

Joanne Lin

Joanne Lin explains what a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership status means and how it should be leveraged to achieve ASEAN’s strategic interests.

ASEAN ASEANFocus Australia China Comprehensive Strategic Partnership

22 Feb 2023

Southeast Asians Mull Over a Taiwan Conflict: Big Concerns But Limited Choices

William Choong|Hoang Thi Ha

In the event of hostilities in the Taiwan Strait, Southeast Asian countries will face a difficult dilemma. Their latitude for manoeuvre will be limited, particularly as the Philippines, a key ASEAN member and a U.S. treaty ally, prepares to provide base access to the United States in such a contingency.

China Southeast Asia State of Southeast Asia Survey Taiwan U.S.

An ethnic Hmong hill tribeswoman harvesting buckwheat

9 Feb 2023

Towards Resilient Agricultural Value Chains in the Mekong

Jayant Menon|Elyssa Kaur Ludher|Maria Monica Wihardja

The development of the agricultural sector in the Greater Mekong Subregion will play an important role in inclusive growth and social upliftment.

Agri-Trade Agriculture China CLMV Non-Tariff Barriers

China's President Xi Jinping, Secretary-General of ASEAN Lim Jock Hoi, U.S. President Joe Biden.

9 Feb 2023

The State of Southeast Asia Survey

State of Southeast Asia Survey 2023: It Takes Three to Tango

Sharon Seah

If ASEAN can’t tango with China or the U.S., who else? Pragmatic as always, ASEAN’s favourite choices for hedging partners remain the EU and Japan but attention appears to have also fallen on India as its third choice this year.

ASEAN China State of Southeast Asia Survey U.S.

31 Jan 2023

Beijing’s Engagement With Myanmar In 2023: Walking A Tight Rope?

A.T.

Beijing is likely to adopt a ‘carrot and stick’ approach to Myanmar. It would continue to engage the junta, yet at the same time work with ethnic armed groups opposed to it to protect Beijing’s investments in the country.

China China-Myanmar Relations Myanmar

25 Jan 2023

South China Sea in 2022: Deadlock or Not, Disputant States Press Advantages

Hong-Kong Nguyen|Pham-Muoi Nguyen|Viet-Ha Nguyen

2022 proved to be another eventful year for the South China Sea as disputant states continued to take a variety of actions to assert their advantages.

China Maritime Security Philippine South China Sea Vietnam

1 Dec 2022

Vietnam Not Veering Closer to United States or China

Lye Liang Fook|Ha Hoang Hop

It is not in Vietnam’s national interest to be overly dependent on China or the United States. Hanoi is expected to continue to press ahead with efforts to build on its ties with the two major powers as part of its multi-directional foreign policy. There are, however, limits to both approaches.

China U.S. Vietnam