(Source: Russian Satellite News Agency 2025-06-26)

Currently, many countries in South and Southeast Asia are balancing between China and the United States. However, pressure from Washington has left regional elites facing the prospect of a difficult choice between two important partners. Beijing focuses on mutual benefit, and the contrast between Beijing and Washington's foreign policies is turning more and more countries in the region toward Beijing.

The 9th China-South Asia Expo was held in Kunming from June 19th to 24th. Products from 2,500 companies from South Asia and Southeast Asia were displayed here. Approximately $1.2 billion worth of deals were concluded during the event. Against the backdrop of deepening competition between China and the United States in the region, the contrasting approaches taken by the two superpowers are particularly symbolic. If the United States is trying to divide the South Asian and ASEAN groups to undermine multilateral cooperation mechanisms between these countries and China, then China is positioning itself as a supporter of the globalization process, free w88 and mutually beneficial cooperation. It neither interferes in the internal affairs of its partners nor creates strategic dilemmas for them.

Wang Zhimin, a researcher at the National Institute for Opening-up at the w88 casino in China and director of the Institute of Globalization and Chinese Modernization, told Sputnik News that the United States’ actions violate the principles upheld by most South and Southeast Asian countries, but this situation has brought new opportunities to China and its partners in Asia.

He said: "In the context of the game between China and the United States, for Southeast Asian and South Asian countries, it does involve the issue of 'choosing sides.' In order to avoid this risk, most countries in the region have adopted the strategy of 'balanced diplomacy among major powers.' Although China has always adhered to the principle of cooperation of 'non-interference in internal affairs, non-attachment of political conditions, and non-imposition of others', the United States has required these countries to choose sides, such as requiring them to reduce the 'Chinese technology ratio' in equipment exported to the United States. For example, we will focus on reviewing the re-export of Chinese parts and components. It can be said that this is obviously a challenge for Southeast Asian and South Asian countries, and it also puts them in a dilemma. In this case, I believe that China and Southeast Asian and South Asian countries can cooperate to deal with challenges, such as exploring new areas of cooperation, new market demands, and developing third-party market cooperation. In general, the US tariff war has dual attributes for the global economy and the development of various countries. It is both a severe challenge and a major transformation opportunity."

The philosophy of the Global South is best reflected in the Indonesian president’s speech at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum a week ago: “Our foreign policy is very simple and can be summed up in one sentence: ‘A thousand friends are too few, but one enemy is too many.’” This stance has largely brought China closer to other Asian countries that, like Beijing, prioritize economic development and the avoidance of confrontation. Over the past few decades, conflicts between China and its Cold War neighbors have largely taken a backseat to mutually beneficial partnerships, with Beijing championing this constructive agenda and launching a series of initiatives in the areas of development and international relations.

In recent years, China's purchasing power parity GDP (PPP GDP) ranks first in the world and has become the main trading partner of most Asian partner countries. The ASEAN region accounts for 15% of China's foreign w88 volume and 14% of its total foreign investment. According to the latest data provided so far in the "2024 ASEAN Investment Report", in 2023, China's direct investment in ASEAN reached US$17.3 billion, second only to the United States' US$74.4 billion, becoming the second largest investor outside the region. The year before last, the United States more than doubled its investment in ASEAN, mainly in Singapore, of which 70% was invested in the financial and insurance industries. In the same year, China's investment in ASEAN increased by more than 20%, mainly in manufacturing, wholesale and retail w88. China is also an important source of foreign investment in South Asia (especially Pakistan and Sri Lanka), of which investment in Pakistan accounts for the majority, through the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor project (according to Chinese estimates, the investment amount has exceeded 60 billion US dollars).

While increasing cooperation with China, many countries in ASEAN and South Asia maintain close relations with the United States in the security field and try to balance China's growing w88 and economic influence through cooperation with economic powers such as the United States, EU countries, and Japan. However, Trump’s return to the White House has severely damaged U.S. trust in the region. China's accusations of U.S. protectionism have resonated with many countries in the region, and many countries have openly expressed support for China. An important factor is that the United States is the main export destination for quite a few countries in the region. For example, in 2024, 34% of Vietnam's total exports, 16% of Malaysia's exports, and 38% of Cambodia's exports will go to the United States. The United States is also a major export destination for South Asian countries such as Pakistan and Bangladesh. In early April, the United States imposed steep tariffs on all of the above-mentioned countries, but the White House later suspended these tariffs.

In the context of the United States’ withdrawal from the TPP in 2017, the structure of China’s w88 agreements with many countries in the region (whether ASEAN or individual South Asian countries) will only continue to evolve. Wang Zhimin believes that the economies of China and South and Southeast Asia are complementary in many aspects, and China's transformation into high-tech industries will bring opportunities for partners to improve their own industrial production.

“Since the ‘One Belt, One Road’ initiative was proposed, the cooperation between China and Southeast Asian countries has achieved remarkable results. The two sides have been each other’s largest trading partners for many consecutive years. Moreover, the economies of China and Southeast Asian countries are very complementary and there is a vertical division of labor. In addition, the cultural similarities between the two sides have also promoted w88 investment. Cooperation in various aspects such as investment. Like Southeast Asian countries, China and South Asian countries also have strong economic complementarities. The “Belt and Road” initiative provides an important platform for regional cooperation. With China’s development, especially the adjustment of its economic structure and the upgrading of its industrial structure, it is an inevitable trend for some industries to move to South Asia and Southeast Asia.”

Wang Zhimin pointed out that for China, South Asia and Southeast Asia are quite attractive in terms of raw material supply, energy and food security. Moreover, China is now aware of the difficulties of its Asian partners and is not only opening its markets to them but also helping them develop infrastructure, industry, science and technology.

"As a major manufacturing country, China has led the implementation of a number of landmark infrastructure projects in Southeast Asia and South Asia under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative, relying on its mature industrial system and infrastructure capabilities, promoting regional interconnection and economic development, and promoting the flow of people, logistics, capital, technology, etc. to form a joint development effect. China has also promoted many "small but beautiful" projects under the "Belt and Road" initiative. These projects not only have small investment, but also have great insights. The characteristics of quick results and strong sense of gain can also quickly improve local people's livelihood and improve the quality of life of the people. For example, China's agricultural cooperation with Southeast Asian and South Asian countries has significantly promoted regional agricultural development and food security through multi-dimensional coordination such as technology export, w88 linkage, and talent training. In addition, China's scientific and technological cooperation with Southeast Asian and South Asian countries has also made progress after the third "Belt and Road" International Cooperation Summit Forum, especially in emerging fields such as technology and health."

Although most South and Southeast Asian countries are unwilling to choose between China and the United States, many experts estimate that current trends are tilting more and more countries in the region toward China. In particular, China's cautious stance on the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and the United States' support for Israel have made Asian Muslim countries have a favorable impression of China. In 2024, a study by Singapore's Yusof Isha Southeast Asia Institute (ISEAS) found that about half of the 2,000 Southeast Asian experts who participated in the survey preferred China to the United States, although 61% of experts preferred a closer partnership with the United States a year ago.

With Trump taking office, Asian countries are also increasingly concerned about the reliability of U.S. security. In particular, Trump's attempt to link military support for countries in the region to w88 issues triggered fierce criticism. Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong pointed out in April this year that the United States is abandoning its role as the world's policeman and is unwilling to fulfill its previous obligations. A few months ago, Singapore's defense minister said Washington was acting like a "rent-collecting landlord."

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