China Leads Influence in Southeast Asia, but Neighbors Come First

China tops Lowy’s Southeast Asia Influence Index, but ASEAN neighbors collectively wield more sway than any external power, including China.
China tops Lowy’s Southeast Asia Influence Index, but ASEAN neighbors collectively wield more sway than any external power, including China. (Graphic: Lowy Institute)

China leads the Lowy Institute’s Southeast Asia Influence Index by a point, 65 to 64 over the United States on the latest reading, but the study finds neighbors are more important than any external power, including China.

However, Lowy records said, “Intra-regional dynamics, especially relations between direct neighbours, often matter more than any single external partner.”

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by Edwin Shri Bimo

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