EP #54 Assessing the Southeast Asia-China Relationship

Foreign Policy Talks

In this episode, I talked to Sebastian Strangio, Southeast Asia editor of The Diplomat and author of “In the Dragon’s Shadow: Southeast Asia in the Chinese Century” book. We were trying to assess the Southeast Asia-China relationship by linking the COVID-19 pandemic with the current behaviors of ASEAN states towards China. Some questions raised during the interview such as whether Sebastian see any cautiousness felt by Southeast Asian leaders to the rising China’s influence in the region and also which countries, he thinks is the best in addressing the Beijing-Washington rivalry.

At the end of our conversation, I asked his thoughts on Indonesia’s stance in engaging China and how will Jakarta-Beijing move forward in the nearer future under the Jokowi’s administration. Moreover, I was a bit naughty and asked him whether China has brought any negative influences to Southeast Asia’s democracies.