A new query assessing the corporate relevance of dialogue partners to ASEAN more reinforces this sentiment. With a suggest score of 8.98 out of 11, somewhat ahead of the US at 8.79, China has been deemed to be the most strategically important companion.  , Most states in Southeast Asia except Myanmar, the Philippines and Vietnam, ranked China as their best option.
Additionally, it should come as no surprise that China continues to be the region’s preeminent economic and political-strategic power, with 59.9 % and 43.9 % of respondents confirming their positions in these areas.
OPTIMISM ABOUT CHINA’S ECONOMIC COMMITMENT TO Place
Despite worries about China’s potential deteriorating economic perspective, the place maintains optimism regarding its commitment to Southeast Asia’s economy. This attitude is especially pronounced in Laos, Thailand, Malaysia and Brunei, where China’s status as the largest or subsequent- largest foreign investor underscores its substantial economic footprint.  ,
The poll results align strongly with the findings of the Lowy Institute’s Asia Power Index, which highlights China’s important influence in areas like as financial relationships, diplomacy and people- to- people exchanges. The score also highlights a significant decrease in the entire US influence, especially in countries like as Malaysia, Brunei and Indonesia, more solidifying China’s ascendancy in the region.
In addition, China’s standing within ASEAN shows how much it is exerting effect in Southeast Asia. China was one of the first speech companions to receive a Comprehensive Partnership Status with ASEAN in 2021, a sign of how deepening relationships are with the area.
China’s business amount increased to US$ 722 billion in 2022, making China ASEAN’s largest buying lover for 14 consecutive times, despite China’s foreign direct investment to ASEAN trailing behind that of the US, Japan, and the European Union.