This graphic shows the findings of a 2024 survey conducted by the Center for ASEAN Studies on the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute. The survey of nearly 2,000 participants asked about their concerns or acceptance of the growing geopolitical influence of China and the United States of their countries.
The study covered member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), which consists of 10 Southeast Asian countries. Attitudes towards China A major proportion of participants from all 10 countries expressed concern in regards to the growing influence of each the United States and China.
However, concerns are more pronounced in China, with 74% expressing concern (in comparison with 59% within the US). Persistent but waning disputes over sovereignty within the South China Sea may influence these views, particularly amongst countries with claims to the region.
In Vietnam, for instance, an awesome 95% of respondents are concerned about China’s growing influence. Attitudes towards America On the opposite hand, the Philippines (69%) and Vietnam (55%) – each contenders within the South China Sea disputes – welcome America’s growing influence. However, regionally, the variety of respondents concerned about growing American influence (59%) outnumbers those open to it (41%).
Interestingly, almost every ASEAN country seems to favor one superpower over the opposite.
The only exception is Thailand, where the vast majority of the surveyed population is anxious about each superpowers, with 84% concerned about China and 80% concerned in regards to the US
Key Points:
- Regional concerns: Study highlights Southeast Asia’s top concerns are unemployment, climate change and rising economic tensions between major powers
- Geopolitical Position: The essential geopolitical concern within the region is the Israel-Hamas conflict. Interestingly, China has overtaken the US as the popular ally if ASEAN countries had to decide on sides within the US-China rivalry
- Survey demographics: The survey covered 1,994 people, with the most important variety of respondents from Singapore (273), followed by Indonesia (265) and Malaysia (225).
- Economic influence: China is perceived as essentially the most influential economic power within the region by 59.5% of respondents, well ahead of the United States
- Strategic influence: In terms of political-strategic influence, 43.9% see China because the leading power, again ahead of the US
- ASEAN’s response to rivalry: About half of respondents consider ASEAN should increase its resilience and unity to fend off pressure from two major powers
- Preference shift: There has been an 11.6% increase in respondents preferring to work with China over the United States since 2023, representing a big shift in regional preferences
These insights provide a deeper understanding of the complex dynamics and sentiments in ASEAN countries regarding the influence of world superpowers. The information reflects the varied perspectives that exist within the region, shaped by each historical connections and current geopolitical developments
Source:
(1) State of Southeast Asia: 2024 Survey Report https://www.iseas.edu.sg/centres/asean-studies-centre/state-of-sutheast-asia-survey/the-state- of-southeast-asia-2024-survey-report/.
(2) ASEAN is more pro-China than the US: study – The Jakarta Post. https://www.thejakartapost.com/world/2024/04/04/asean-is-more-pro-china-than-us-survey.html.
(3) Survey Shows Southeast Asians Favor China Over US – CGTN. https://news.cgtn.com/news/2024-04-03/Survey-shows-Southeast-Asians-favor-China-over-US–1suMq3QIEXm/p.html.
(4) Is Southeast Asia leaning more towards China? | TIME. https://time.com/6962557/china-us-asean-sutheast-asia-rivalry-survey/.
(5) ASEAN: Annual survey shows shift in favor of China | WOUNDED. https://library.stratfor.com/situation-report/asean-annual-survey-shows-turn-favor-china.
(6) SOUTHEAST ASIA 2024 – iseas.edu.sg. https://www.iseas.edu.sg/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/The-State-of-SEA-2024.pdf.
(7) State of Southeast Asia Survey – ISEAS Institute – Yusof Ishak. https://www.iseas.edu.sg/category/centres/asean-studies-centre/state-of-sutheast-asia-survey/
