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Mutual trust key in ASEAN-China comprehensive strategic partnership
A plethora of studies exist to explain the causes of the lack of trust in ASEAN-China relations, attributing it to China’s political influence and military might.
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All eyes, all ears: Chinese President Xi Jinping delivers a speech via video at the opening ceremony of the 17th China-ASEAN Expo in Nanning, in southern China's Guangxi province on Nov. 27, 2020. (AFP)
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hina has successfully consolidated its diplomatic position in the region by securing commitments to advance cooperation with ASEAN through the comprehensive strategic partnership. While there is no denial in ASEAN that China is among the most influential powers and a substantive partner for cooperation across sectors, the long-standing feature that characterizes China-ASEAN relations is “robust economic cooperation plagued by sustained lack of trust”.
Relations between the two parties have continued to evolve and get to new heights faster than other ASEAN dialogue partners. Their economic ties are now at an all-time high. In the first quarter of 2022, ASEAN was China’s largest trading partner (Global Times, 2022). China’s investment in ASEAN is reported to have exceeded US$310 billion (The Jakarta Post, 2022), and progress is also visible in various infrastructure projects (the Post, 2022).
With China supplied by sustained resources and capital at home, it comes as no surprise that the economy has become an anchor of the country’s foreign policy and that economic support continues to be the major component of China’s charm offensive to capture the hearts of Southeast Asian countries.
In remarks given by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, the Chinese government also pledged to continue providing ASEAN countries with substantial economic support as part of the upgraded strategic partnership, from contribution to ASEAN’s crisis mitigation in the form of funds and donation of vaccine doses to additional development assistance for the next few years.
Indeed, the offerings are seemingly attuned to the needs of the ASEAN member states at this time in history when economic rebound is the top priority. However, this does not resolve the looming issue that is counterproductive for the relationship, namely the lack of mutual trust.
It stands to reason that the grouping recognizes China’s continued economic importance. However, China’s growing economic support is simultaneously an increasing source of apprehension for the member countries. How is this the case?
A plethora of studies exist to explain the causes of such a lack of trust in ASEAN-China relations, attributing it to China’s political influence and military might. In summary, it is in no small part due to a confluence of factors, among others China’s continued aggressive behavior in the South China Sea in opposition to ASEAN’s proclaimed values (Thi Ha, 2021) and posturing when vaunting its strength to other countries (Lowy Institute, 2021).
