More than half of southeast Asians would now prefer to align with China over the US if Asean were forced to choose between the rival superpowers, according to a regional survey by a Singapore-based think-tank, reflecting Beijing’s growing influence in the region, reports the Financial Times.
According to the State of Southeast Asia 2024 survey compiled by the Iseas-Yusof Ishak Institute, 50.5% of respondents opted for China and 49.5% preferred the US if the Association of Southeast Asian Nations had to pick sides—the first time Beijing edged past Washington since the annual survey started asking the question in 2020. Last year’s survey showed 38.9% preferred China and 61.1% chose the US.
The think-tank’s flagship survey polls people from the private and public sectors, as well as academics and researchers in southeast Asia to present prevailing attitudes among those in a position to inform or influence policy on regional issues.