Heading toward a Win–Win Future? Recent Developments in China’s Policy toward Southeast Asia

Abstract In recent years, regional leaders and analysts have observed that China has been very successful in improving its relations with the ASEAN countries. Starting from a description of China’s strategic interests in Southeast Asia, this article analyzes the developments of China’s policy toward Southeast Asia, particularly since the Asian financial crisis of 1997. This article argues that China’s active policies to address Southeast Asia’s fears about the future impact of a stronger China have made these states more optimistic and hopeful that a more powerful China will be a force for peace, stability, and prosperity in the short-to-medium term. However, long-term concerns remain over whether a more powerful China may decide to try to increase its influence or even try to dominate the region.