South-east Asia’s turn towards China may not last, say US analysts

WASHINGTON – China’s status as South-east Asia’s preferred superpower in a new ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute survey is likely to be short-lived, say analysts.

The annual survey of 1,994 policymakers, journalists, businessmen and analysts in Asean nations showed that they would prefer China over the US – if forced to align with either strategic rival – by a narrow margin of 50.5 per cent to 49.5 per cent.

The findings, published in the institute’s The State Of South-east Asia 2024 report on April 2, point to a reversal of…