Analysis: ASEAN Elites' Attitudes Towards China and US Shift, 'Economy with China, Security with US' Concept Reverses
Hong Kong's Ming Pao reported a shift in Southeast Asian elites' traditional stance of 'economy with China, security with the US.' An ISEAS survey showed 52% of respondents favored China this year, up from last year, while 48% chose the US. Concerns over US sanctions and tariffs are cited as the primary reason for this change.
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- 📰 Published: April 8, 2026 at 10:32
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Hong Kong's Ming Pao today published an article stating that "economy with China, security with the US" was the traditional strategic stance of Southeast Asian countries, but "this tune is no longer played."
The ASEAN Studies Centre at the ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute released its "The State of Southeast Asia: 2026" report, which for the eighth consecutive year surveyed Southeast Asian knowledge elites' perceptions and trust in countries like China and the US. A total of 2008 people participated in the survey.
The report showed that if forced to choose between China and the US, 52% of respondents this year leaned towards China, while 48% chose the US. Last year, 47.7% of respondents chose China, and 52.3% chose the US.
The survey indicated that countries highly interdependent economically with China, such as Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand, leaned more towards Beijing, while traditional US security partners, especially the Philippines, remained firmly aligned with Washington.
On the other hand, expectations for improved relations with China are growing among ASEAN countries, with most respondents (55.6%) believing their country will improve or significantly improve relations with China; 32.8% of respondents expected relations with the US to improve or significantly improve, while 29.5% expected them to worsen, indicating a weakening of optimistic sentiment compared to last year.
Regarding why ASEAN elites have undergone this shift, the article suggests that the US use of sanctions, tariffs, and other trade measures is the primary concern for respondents (43.4%), far outweighing concerns such as military activities and interference in domestic affairs.
The article states that this marks a significant shift in the reasons for ASEAN's concerns about Washington's role in the region, with geoeconomic anxiety becoming the main source of unease. (Edited by Chen Kaiyu) 1150408
The ASEAN Studies Centre at the ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute released its "The State of Southeast Asia: 2026" report, which for the eighth consecutive year surveyed Southeast Asian knowledge elites' perceptions and trust in countries like China and the US. A total of 2008 people participated in the survey.
The report showed that if forced to choose between China and the US, 52% of respondents this year leaned towards China, while 48% chose the US. Last year, 47.7% of respondents chose China, and 52.3% chose the US.
The survey indicated that countries highly interdependent economically with China, such as Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand, leaned more towards Beijing, while traditional US security partners, especially the Philippines, remained firmly aligned with Washington.
On the other hand, expectations for improved relations with China are growing among ASEAN countries, with most respondents (55.6%) believing their country will improve or significantly improve relations with China; 32.8% of respondents expected relations with the US to improve or significantly improve, while 29.5% expected them to worsen, indicating a weakening of optimistic sentiment compared to last year.
Regarding why ASEAN elites have undergone this shift, the article suggests that the US use of sanctions, tariffs, and other trade measures is the primary concern for respondents (43.4%), far outweighing concerns such as military activities and interference in domestic affairs.
The article states that this marks a significant shift in the reasons for ASEAN's concerns about Washington's role in the region, with geoeconomic anxiety becoming the main source of unease. (Edited by Chen Kaiyu) 1150408