For subscribers
Are South-east Asian states balancing against China?
Arms spending and defence partnerships with the US and its partners seem to point that way. But there are more factors in play.
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox
All South-east Asian countries have strong economic ties to China; many regional political and business leaders have looked to China.
ST PHOTO: GAVIN FOO
Evan A. Laksmana
Follow topic:
Where do South-east Asian countries stand in the tug of war between the United States and China? It is a question that comes up time and again, given the region’s strategic importance in the unfolding great-power politics.
Indeed, any military conflict involving the two powers would critically affect all 10 member states of the Association of South-east Asian Nations (Asean). All South-east Asian countries have strong economic ties to China; many regional political and business leaders have looked to China for their post-Covid-19-pandemic recoveries.
