Please see today’s daily update from EPIC Investment Partners below:
Over half of Southeast Asians would now prefer to align with China over the USA if ASEAN were forced to choose between the rival superpowers according to a recent regional survey by a Singapore-based think tank. This reflects Beijing’s growing influence in the region.
According to the State of Southeast Asia 2024 survey, compiled by the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute, 50.5% of respondents opted for China while 49.5% preferred the USA if ASEAN had to pick sides — the first time Beijing edged past Washington since the annual survey started asking the question in 2020.
Last year’s survey showed 38.9% preferred China and 61.1% chose the U.S.
The think tank’s flagship survey polls people from the private and public sectors, as well as academics and researchers in Southeast Asia. Hence, it represents the prevailing attitudes among those in a position to inform or influence policy on regional issues.
Among the 10 countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, the possible alignment to China was most evident among respondents from Malaysia, at 75.1%, followed by Indonesia and Laos at 73.2% and 70.6%. All three nations have benefited significantly from China’s Belt and Road Infrastructure initiative and robust trade relations.
It is noteworthy that Washington gained strong support from the Philippines and Vietnam at 83.3% and 79%, which in large part reflects tensions these two countries have with China due to overlapping claims in the South China Sea.
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Charlotte Clarke
25/04/2024