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ISEAS in the News – The State of Southeast Asia: 2023 Survey Report

The ASEAN Studies Centre (ASC) at ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute released “The State of Southeast Asia 2023 Survey Report” online at 1130 hr on 9 February 2023 (Singapore time). 

Findings from the latest run of the State of Southeast Asia Survey conducted by the ASEAN Studies Centre at the ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute reveal that Southeast Asia’s top preoccupations are with recessionary pressures, potential military tensions, and a ‘slow and ineffective’ ASEAN. China continues to be regarded as the most influential economic and political power in the region and the US has sharpened its edge over China in the event of a forced choice while Japan remains its most trusted major power. Click to read the full Media Release.

For current and past years reports, click here.
For Event Highlights of the discussion, click here.
To view the discussion, click here.

Media Coverage:

  1. The Economist, 19 September 2023 – Welcome to a new era of Asian commerce
  2. Bangladesh Post, 17 September 2023 – Japan–ASEAN relations move towards co-creation
  3. Time, 13 September 2023 – Indonesian Locals Push Back Against Chinese Infrastructure Investments
  4. The Interpreter, 12 September 2023 – ASEAN, China and the trust deficit
  5. The Jakarta Post, 4 September 2023 – BRICS ushers in new opportunity for fairer trade in new world order
  6. VOA, 31 August 2023 – Mengapa Biden Kunjungi Vietnam, Bukan Jakarta?
  7. VOA, 29 August 2023 – Why Biden is Going to Hanoi but Not Jakarta
  8. Colombo Gazette, 22 August 2023 – India’s Dynamic Advance: Countering China’s Influence in Southeast Asia and Shaping a Multipolar Landscape
  9. The Diplomat, 21 August 2023 – Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief: The Quad’s Path Forward in Southeast Asia
  10. Lianhe Zaobao, 18 August 2023 – 陈庆珠：动荡世界中的小国
  11. VOA Chinese, 18 August 2023 – 印度大力进军东南亚 抗衡中国影响
  12. The Japan Times, 16 August 2023 – Southeast Asia uses great power competition to dodge failures
  13. ORF, 16 August 2023 – Great power competition raises concerns within the ASEAN
  14. The Straits Times, 16 August 2023 – Small state in a turbulent world: A survival guide
  15. Mothership, 14 August 2023 – ‘We are only in the 2nd round of a 13-round boxing match’: Chan Heng Chee on US-China competition
  16. The Straits Times, 14 August 2023 – A message from South-east Asia to the US
  17. CNBC, 13 August 2023 – India is rising force in Southeast Asia that could counter China dominance
  18. Foreign Policy, 10 August 2023 – NATO Is on the Back Foot in the Indo-Pacific
  19. VOA Chinese, 10 August 2023 – 洪森之子将成柬埔寨新首相 美中柬关系会出现变化吗？
  20. South China Morning Post, 7 August 2023 – Japan’s hardening China stance is ‘clearly a concern’. But ‘behind closed doors’, does Asean accept it?
  21. VOA Chinese, 22 July 2023 – 中国与老挝的“铁杆”情谊是否正在改变？
  22. RSIS IP23053, 18 July 2023 – US-Southeast Asia Ties: Reality Is More Complex
  23. The Straits Times, 17 July 2023 – Dropped jaws, whispers and a delayed statement: Reading the clues about Asean’s approach to Myanmar
  24. Globe Echo, 12 July 2023 – American influence is receding in favor of China in Southeast Asia
  25. Radio Free Asia, 8 July 2023 – Vietnam’s communists are constrained domestically in choice between the US and China
  26. The National Interest, 4 July 2023 – Are Vietnam and America Headed Toward Strategic Partnership?
  27. First Post, 4 July 2023 – Why enhancing people-to-people contact is necessary to boost India’s ties with the Philippines
  28. The Economist, 4 July 2023 – Why China should be friendlier to its neighbours
  29. Nikkei Asia, 3 July 2023 – ‘Fish diplomacy’ deepens ties between Indonesia, Japan
  30. Palawan News, 29 June 2023 – Code of Conduct for the South China Sea is difficult to sign
  31. Marianas Variety News & Views, 28 June 2023 – China and a code of conduct for the South China Sea
  32. Lianhe Zaobao, 24 June 2023 – 美对中的“类冷和”与对台的“类中立”
  33. Japan Times, 22 June 2023 – Why ASEAN is key to building order in the Indo-Pacific region
  34. CTS, 22 June 2023 – 中國外長：願與東協共同維護地區秩序
  35. Asia Times, 20 June 2023 – SE Asia’s alignment up for grabs in New Cold War
  36. East Asia Forum, 19 June 2023 – Southeast Asia’s piecemeal alignment
  37. Brookings, 14 June 2023 – Updating America’s Asia strategy
  38. The Korea Times, 14 June 2023 – China alienates itself
  39. Benar News, 14 june 2023 – Chinese navy ship visits Philippines amid heightened tensions
  40. Council on Foreign Relations, 8 June 2023 – The U.S. Is Losing Ground to China in Southeast Asia
  41. Japan Times, 7 June 2023 – China should heed the concerns of its neighbors
  42. DW, 5 June 2023 – EU eyes greater Asia security role amid China tensions
  43. Asia Times, 2 June 2023 – In turbulent Indo-Pacific, Quad must hold firm – and act fast
  44. Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, 1 June 2023 – ASEAN’s Response to China’s New Foreign Policy Initiatives
  45. World Politics Review, 30 May 2023 – The US Is Losing Ground to China in Southeast Asia
  46. PMO, 25 May 2023 – DPM Lawrence Wong at the Nikkei Forum 28th Future Of Asia
  47. Mothership, 25 May 2023 – Economic ‘de-risking’ carries risks of its own: Lawrence Wong
  48. The Diplomat, 17 May 2023 – Rising India: A Welcome Partner for ASEAN?
  49. Borneo Bulletin, 17 May 2023 – Tackling climate change
  50. Berita Utama, 13 May 2023 – Bisakah ASEAN menyelesaikan konflik di Myanmar?
  51. The Straits Times, 10 May 2023 – Asean faces big test at its summit: Will it rise to the challenges?
  52. The Online Citizen Asia, 3 May 2023 – Common values should underpin the future of ASEAN
  53. Lowy Institute, 26 April 2023 – Quad should ask ASEAN to a diplomatic dance
  54. China US Focus, 17 April 2023 – THE DRAGON OR THE EAGLE: The Choice between China and the United States among the Asia Pacific Countries
  55. News9live, 15 April 2023 – ASEAN: How India is replacing China on the economic front
  56. DW, 10 April 2023 – EU seeks its own response to China’s aggression in Asia
  57. Taiwan News, 10 April 2023 – EU seeks its own response to China’s aggression in Asia
  58. Mint, 8 April 2023 – China’s huge Asian investments fail to buy it soft power
  59. Bizz Buzz, 7 April 2023 – India emerging as ‘global keeper of rule-based order’
  60. The Economist, 5 April 2023 – China’s huge Asian investments fail to buy it soft power
  61. News9, 4 April 2023 – China’s recent audacity in Arunachal emerges from India’s dynamic global standing
  62. The Jakarta Post, 2 April 2023 – India’s ASEAN rise: Where trust paves the path for partnership
  63. ANI, 1 April 2023 – India gaining more influence in ASEAN than China: Singapore Poll
  64. The Eurasian Times, 28 March 2023 – Singapore Polls Show India’s Growing Influence In ASEAN As More Nations Put Trust In Delhi Over Beijing
  65. South China Morning Post, 25 March 2023 – Debt fears could hobble China’s belt and road plans in Asean, economists warn
  66. Nikkei Asia, 23 March 2023 – U.S. needs its own ‘ASEAN center’
  67. China in the World, 20 March 2023 – The State of Southeast Asia in 2023
  68. The Jakarta Post, 19 March 2023 – India, the ray of hope for a region mired by superpower rivalry?
  69. RSIS Commentary, 17 March 2023 – Xi Jinping’s Foreign Policy in Light of the 20th Party Congress
  70. Japan Times, 15 March 2023 – Why Japan continues to be a land for optimism
  71. ANN, 13 March 2023 – Asean ‘unprepared’ for open conflict in Indo-Pacific: Experts
  72. VOA Indonesia, 13 March 2023 – Survei ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute: Mayoritas Orang Asia Tenggara Lebih Pilih AS Ketimbang Tiongkok
  73. The Jakarta Post, 11 March 2023 – ASEAN ‘unprepared’ for open conflict in Indo-Pacific
  74. Tagesspiegel, 10 March 2023 – Asean-Umfrage: Südostasien fürchtet Machtkampf zwischen China und den USA
  75. BBC News中文, 7 March 2023 – 南海争端：菲律宾称中国舰船接近“中业岛” 中菲关系是否出现变化
  76. Asia Times, 7 March 2023 – Marcos vs Marcos in sibling spat over US-China policy
  77. Eurasia Review, 6 March 2023 – Manila’s New Geopolitical Push And Malaysia Must Step Up
  78. Borneo Bulletin, 5 March 2023 – Survey finds climate change, unemployment, recession among the concerns
  79. The Australian, 3 March 2023 – Quad nations tell China to follow the rules
  80. Japan Times, 3 March 2023 – Sustaining the expansion of strategic relations between India and Southeast Asia
  81. Japan Times, 3 March 2023 – Philippine leader’s embrace of U.S. troops near Taiwan revives old grievances
  82. Yahoo News, 3 March 2023 – Marcos Embrace of US Troops Near Taiwan Revives Old Grievances
  83. Bloomberg, 3 March 2023 – US Troop Expansion Near Taiwan Revives Old Debate in Philippines
  84. VTV Vietnam, 28 February 2023 – Thất nghiệp, suy thoái kinh tế – mối quan tâm hàng đầu của người dân ASEAN
  85. Lao Dong, 28 February 2023 – Vị thế đang lên của Ấn Độ trong khu vực ASEAN
  86. News9live, 27 February 2023 – Why India’s arrival on the global stage brings its own set of challenges
  87. News9live, 27 February 2023 – Why is India’s status among Asean nations rising?
  88. SCMP, 27 February 2023 – Why is India’s status among Asean nations rising?
  89. Kompas, 27 February 2023 – Metamorfosis Kebijakan India di Asia Tenggara
  90. Food Navigator, 27 February 2023 – A region infuriated: Confidence in EU trade plummets in ASEAN as palm oil sector formally unites
  91. VTV Singapore, 25 February 2023 – SUY THOÁI KINH TẾ LÀ NỖI LO HÀNG ĐẦU CỦA NGƯỜI DÂN ASEAN
  92. AsiaNews, 22 February 2023 – 东南亚 物价上涨，但对东南亚而言，乌克兰战争还很遥远
  93. Sina News, 21 February 2023 – 葛红亮：后疫情时代，东南亚面临紧迫挑战
  94. HuanQiu, 21 February 2023 – 后疫情时代，东南亚面临紧迫挑战
  95. The Alantic, 20 February 2023 – Biden’s Military-First Posture in the East Is a Problem
  96. Kompas, 20 February 2023 – Tiga Negara yang Paling Diuntungkan Perang Ukraina
  97. El Pais, 19 February 2023 – A new Cold War between the US and China is spreading around the world
  98. SCMP, 18 February 2023 – In war of narratives, where does Southeast Asia stand in Ukraine-Russia conflict?
  99. MENAFN, 18 February 2023 – Myanmar’s Overlooked But Not-Yet-Forgotten War
  100. SCMP, 17 February 2023 – Malaysian PM Anwar’s suggestion of Asean ‘carving out Myanmar’ faces uphill task
  101. BFM, 17 February 2023 – SEA Caught In The Middle
  102. DW, 17 February 2023 – Can ASEAN benefit from the EU’s green agriculture push?
  103. Lianhe Zaobao, 17 February 2023 – 中国外交上失去了菲律宾？
  104. ANN, 16 February 2023 – Indonesia warns of ‘open conflict’ in Indo-Pacific
  105. SCMP, 16 February 2023 – East Timor has Indonesia’s backing, but road to Asean filled with financial concerns
  106. Asia Times, 16 February 2023 – Myanmar election ploy threatens to split ASEAN and West
  107. CNN Philippines, 16 February 2023 – Filipinos see climate change, unemployment, military tensions as top challenges in Southeast Asia — study
  108. The Jakarta Post, 15 February 2023 – Indonesia warns of ‘open conflict’ in Indo-Pacific
  109. The Star, 15 February 2023 – Indonesia warns of ‘open conflict’ in Indo-Pacific
  110. The Strategist, 15 February 2023 – State of Southeast Asia Survey 2023: It takes three to tango
  111. Berita Harian, 14 February 2023 – Pengaruh AS di Asia Tenggara berkembang walau China kekal paling berpengaruh
  112. The Straits Times, 14 February 2023 – Surveys flag S-E Asia’s power shifts
  113. Daily Economic, 14 February 2023 – ISEAS调查：经济是东南亚人最关心的问题
  114. Kompas, 13 February 2023 – Menanti ”Hal Kecil” dari ASEAN
  115. 8 World, 13 February 2023 – 小马可斯：若台湾海峡有事 很难想象菲不被卷入
  116. CNA, 13 February 2023 – China seen as most influential power in Southeast Asia: ASEAN Studies Centre
  117. Khmer Times, 13 February 2023 – Confidence in ASEAN’s leadership in free trade up at 23.5% in 2023
  118. DW, 13 February 2023 – Survei: Citra Uni Eropa Menguat di Asia Tenggara
  119. The Jakarta Post, 13 February 2023 – Economy tops Southeast Asians’ concerns, ISEAS Survey finds
  120. Asia News Network, 13 February 2023 – Economy tops Southeast Asians’ concerns: ISEAS Survey
  121. VTV Singapore, 13 February 2023 – HAI CHUYẾN THĂM NÂNG CAO UY TÍN, VỊ THẾ VIỆT NAM
  122. Berita Satu, 13 February 2023 – Survei Pusat Studi ASEAN: Indonesia Pilih Tiongkok Dibandingkan AS
  123. The Malaysia Reservce, 13 February 2023 – State of Southeast Asia Survey
  124. LHZB, 12 February 2023 – 如果大家都不演，谁来共舞这时代
  125. 8 World, 12 February 2023 – 东南亚：中国影响力最大但显著下降 美国影响力则微升
  126. Malay Mail, 12 February 2023 – Survey finds seven in 10 Malaysians will pick China over US despite worry about its influence within Asean
  127. Malay Mail, 12 February 2023 – Regional survey show joblessness, recession, top list of concerns for Malaysians post pandemic
  128. TCIJ, 12 February 2023 – Research suggests ‘ASEAN nations’ are increasingly favoring the US in the ‘Biden’ era.
  129. SCMP, 11 February 2023 – As US military ‘encircles’ China, does Asean ‘quietly welcome’ it?
  130. VOA Burmese, 11 February 2023 – ျမန္မာ့အေရး အေရွ႕ေတာင္အာရွ သုေတသီေတြရဲ႕ အျမင္တခ်ိဳ႕
  131. Lianhe Zaobao, 10 February 2023 – 报告：影响力依然最大 中美交恶打击东南亚对两国领导力信心
  132. Lianhe Zaobao, 10 February 2023 – 更多东南亚人担心沦为大国“代理人” 观察家：亚细安须更团结强大主动以赢得尊重
  133. VOA, 10 February 2023 – 东南亚民调：美国的受欢迎度上升，中国则在下降
  134. Huan Qiu, 10 February 2023 – 新加坡报告：只有6%受访者认为东盟必须在中美之间选边站
  135. Sydney Today, 10 February 2023 – 東南亞調查報告：中國的地區影響力在下降
  136. DW, 10 February 2023 – Survey: EU’s influence surging in Southeast Asia
  137. Lianhe Zaobao, 9 February 2023 – 东南亚态势报告2023：中国在区域影响力显著下降 美国不再被视为自由贸易首要倡导者
  138. The Straits Times, 9 February 2023 – Singaporeans see climate change as top challenge for S-E Asia in 2023: Survey
  139. The Straits Times, 9 February 2023 – Why South-east Asia, with China worries, sees India more favourably as a strategic partner
  140. The Straits Times, 9 February 2023 – Asian Insider: Balloon diplomacy | Sushi terrorism
  141. South China Morning Post, 9 February 2023 – US clout in Southeast Asia grows even as China still viewed as most influential: survey
  142. Bloomberg, 9 February 2023 – Biden’s Renewed Push in Southeast Asia Sees More in Favor of US
  143. Business World, 9 February 2023 – Japan’s economic leverage to undercut China, analysts say
  144. MSN, 9 February 2023 – Biden’s renewed push in Southeast Asia sees more in favour of US
  145. Hong Kong Economic Times, 9 February 2023 – 新加坡智庫：中國東南亞影響力大減 美國失去自由貿易光環
  146. Yahoo News Taiwan, 9 February 2023 – ISEAS民調：逾六成東南亞民眾青睞美國、中國地區影響力下滑
  147. Daily Maverick, 9 February 2023 – Biden’s renewed push in Southeast Asia sees more in favour of US
  148. CNYes News, 9 February 2023 – ISEAS民調：逾六成東南亞民眾青睞美國、中國地區影響力下滑
  149. Think China, 9 February 2023 – State of Southeast Asia Survey 2023: Separate tangos with China and the US
  150. RFA, 2 February 2023 – 这回是西升东降？中国区域影响力恐降