China gains ground over US in Southeast Asia influence since 2018: report
- China’s strength in Southeast Asia lies in its diplomatic and economic ties, while the US is stronger in defence networks and cultural influences, the Lowy Institute report says
- The US’ biggest loss in influence since 2018 was in Malaysia, and it was more influential in the Philippines and Singapore. China’s influence remained strongest in Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar
The US has continued to lose influence to China across four power measures – economic relationships, defence networks, diplomatic influence and cultural influence – since 2018, the benchmark year in the “Asia Power Snapshot: China and the United States in Southeast Asia” report by the Lowy Institute.
In 2018, China led the US 52–48 for influence in the region. In 2022, this lead increased to 54–46.
Such a measure of power was significant as patterns of influence formed part of the broad context in which Southeast Asian countries made their strategic choices, the report said.
Overall, China’s strength as a power in Southeast Asia lay in its diplomatic and economic relations, whereas the US was better in defence networks and cultural influences, it said.