ARTICLES

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.

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

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.

China International Relations Middle East Security

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.