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. Nikkei Asia, 22 March 2024 – Asia-Pacific can lead way in sustainable development with cooperation
  2. Nikkei Asia, 27 February 2024 – Renewal of dialogue does not mean Biden has gone soft on China
  3. VOA Chinese, 9 February 2024 – 新加坡对中国干预提高警觉 归化港商或列“政治影响者”
  4. CNA, 5 February 2024 – China held a record number of military exercises with ASEAN states in 2023. What’s fuelling the spike?
  5. Stars and Stripes, 18 January 2024 – ‘You don’t know Japan today’: Emanuel in Tokyo dispels ‘myths’
  6. SCMP, 5 January 2024 – Opinion | Why Asia largely backs Japan’s defence boost despite its ‘history of aggression’
  7. CNBC, 3 January 2024 – Indonesia 2024 elections: Economy, Gaza war and China ties dominate
  8. SCMP, 26 December 2023 – Opinion | Japan’s ambitious rearmament plan puts China in a bind
  9. Tempo, 20 December 2023 – Mutual Trust is Key to 50 Years of ASEAN-Japan Harmony
  10. Asia Times, 18 December 2023 – Japan-ASEAN in a much more muscular embrace
  11. Nikkei Asia, 17 December 2023 – Indonesia’s new train offers chance to improve views of China
  12. Nikkei Asia, 16 December 2023 – Japan and ASEAN deepen ties as security, economic challenges mount
  13. The Straits Times, 14 December 2023 – 50 years of Asean-Japan ties: Singapore PM Lee among leaders to attend special Tokyo summit
  14. The Economist, 14 December 2023 – Japan is a cuddlier friend to South-East Asia than America or China
  15. VOA, 8 December 2023 – China’s Xi to Visit Vietnam as Hanoi-US Relations Warm
  16. SCMP, 5 December 2023 – Japan’s bid to elevate Asean ties will offer region ‘options’ amid growing Chinese influence
  17. Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, 5 December 2023 – How Has China’s Belt and Road Initiative Impacted Southeast Asian Countries?
  18. DW, 20 November 2023 – Israel-Hamas war strains Indonesia, Malaysia ties with West
  19. Taiwan News, 20 November 2023 – Israel-Hamas war strains Indonesia, Malaysia ties with West
  20. Pacific Forum, 15 November 2023 – PacNet #84 – India-Cambodia relations: diversifying diplomacy in an era of flux – Pacific Forum
  21. Free Press Journal, 15 November 2023 – South by Southeast: The Thai massage is not the key Thai message
  22. In-En, 14 November 2023 – 东南亚国家青睐可再生能源,但担心成本太高-国际能源网能源资讯中心
  23. Lowy Institute, 9 November 2023 – Lawrence Wong’s ascent as Singapore’s 4th generation leader
  24. Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, 8 November 2023 – Amid Contending Narratives, A Read on U.S. and PRC Messaging in Singapore
  25. Asia Times, 6 November 2023 – Japan-Philippines moving toward US-led trilateral alliance
  26. Bangkok Post, 3 November 2023 – Japan’s dilemmas need bold answers
  27. Nikkei Asia, 3 November 2023 – The Quad needs to work with other groups. ASEAN is the place to start
  28. VOA, 15 October 2023 – China’s Trade Grows in SE Asia Under BRI, as Do Concerns
  29. Washington Post, 12 October 2023 – China’s promise of prosperity brought Laos debt — and distress
  30. Washington Monthly, 6 October 2023 – China’s Battle for Hearts and Minds
  31. VOA Chinese, 3 October 2023 – “一带一路”迈入十周年: 东南亚是大幅受益或反招不良后果?(2)
  32. Guan Cha Zhe, 2 October 2023 – 经济学人:谁推动了亚洲经济体的整合?正是美国
  33. Nikkei Asia, 21 September 2023 – U.S.-Indonesia ties are frosty, but who’s giving the cold shoulder?
  34. The Straits Times, 20 September 2023 – As America’s influence in Asia wanes, Asian economies are integrating
  35. Guan Cha Zhe, 20 September 2023 – 袁野:在东南亚不敌中国,美国人真的着急了
  36. The Economist, 19 September 2023 – How Asia is reinventing its economic model
  37. The Economist, 19 September 2023 – Welcome to a new era of Asian commerce
  38. Bangladesh Post, 17 September 2023 – Japan–ASEAN relations move towards co-creation
  39. Time, 13 September 2023 – Indonesian Locals Push Back Against Chinese Infrastructure Investments
  40. The Interpreter, 12 September 2023 – ASEAN, China and the trust deficit
  41. The Jakarta Post, 4 September 2023 – BRICS ushers in new opportunity for fairer trade in new world order
  42. VOA, 31 August 2023 – Mengapa Biden Kunjungi Vietnam, Bukan Jakarta?
  43. VOA, 29 August 2023 – Why Biden is Going to Hanoi but Not Jakarta
  44. Colombo Gazette, 22 August 2023 – India’s Dynamic Advance: Countering China’s Influence in Southeast Asia and Shaping a Multipolar Landscape
  45. The Diplomat, 21 August 2023 – Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief: The Quad’s Path Forward in Southeast Asia
  46. Lianhe Zaobao, 18 August 2023 – 陈庆珠:动荡世界中的小国
  47. VOA Chinese, 18 August 2023 – 印度大力进军东南亚 抗衡中国影响
  48. The Japan Times, 16 August 2023 – Southeast Asia uses great power competition to dodge failures
  49. ORF, 16 August 2023 – Great power competition raises concerns within the ASEAN
  50. The Straits Times, 16 August 2023 – Small state in a turbulent world: A survival guide
  51. Mothership, 14 August 2023 – ‘We are only in the 2nd round of a 13-round boxing match’: Chan Heng Chee on US-China competition
  52. The Straits Times, 14 August 2023 – A message from South-east Asia to the US
  53. CNBC, 13 August 2023 – India is rising force in Southeast Asia that could counter China dominance
  54. Foreign Policy, 10 August 2023 – NATO Is on the Back Foot in the Indo-Pacific
  55. 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?
  56. South China Morning Post, 7 August 2023 – Japan’s hardening China stance is ‘clearly a concern’. But ‘behind closed doors’, does Asean accept it?
  57. VOA Chinese, 22 July 2023 – 中国与老挝的“铁杆”情谊是否正在改变?
  58. RSIS IP23053, 18 July 2023 – US-Southeast Asia Ties: Reality Is More Complex
  59. The Straits Times, 17 July 2023 – Dropped jaws, whispers and a delayed statement: Reading the clues about Asean’s approach to Myanmar
  60. Globe Echo, 12 July 2023 – American influence is receding in favor of China in Southeast Asia
  61. Radio Free Asia, 8 July 2023 – Vietnam’s communists are constrained domestically in choice between the US and China
  62. The National Interest, 4 July 2023 – Are Vietnam and America Headed Toward Strategic Partnership?
  63. First Post, 4 July 2023 – Why enhancing people-to-people contact is necessary to boost India’s ties with the Philippines
  64. The Economist, 4 July 2023 – Why China should be friendlier to its neighbours
  65. Nikkei Asia, 3 July 2023 – ‘Fish diplomacy’ deepens ties between Indonesia, Japan
  66. Palawan News, 29 June 2023 – Code of Conduct for the South China Sea is difficult to sign
  67. Marianas Variety News & Views, 28 June 2023 – China and a code of conduct for the South China Sea
  68. Lianhe Zaobao, 24 June 2023 – 美对中的“类冷和”与对台的“类中立”
  69. Japan Times, 22 June 2023 – Why ASEAN is key to building order in the Indo-Pacific region
  70. CTS, 22 June 2023 – 中國外長:願與東協共同維護地區秩序
  71. Asia Times, 20 June 2023 – SE Asia’s alignment up for grabs in New Cold War
  72. East Asia Forum, 19 June 2023 – Southeast Asia’s piecemeal alignment
  73. Brookings, 14 June 2023 – Updating America’s Asia strategy
  74. The Korea Times, 14 June 2023 – China alienates itself
  75. Benar News, 14 june 2023 – Chinese navy ship visits Philippines amid heightened tensions
  76. Council on Foreign Relations, 8 June 2023 – The U.S. Is Losing Ground to China in Southeast Asia
  77. Japan Times, 7 June 2023 – China should heed the concerns of its neighbors
  78. DW, 5 June 2023 – EU eyes greater Asia security role amid China tensions
  79. Asia Times, 2 June 2023 – In turbulent Indo-Pacific, Quad must hold firm – and act fast
  80. Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, 1 June 2023 – ASEAN’s Response to China’s New Foreign Policy Initiatives
  81. World Politics Review, 30 May 2023 – The US Is Losing Ground to China in Southeast Asia
  82. PMO, 25 May 2023 – DPM Lawrence Wong at the Nikkei Forum 28th Future Of Asia
  83. Mothership, 25 May 2023 – Economic ‘de-risking’ carries risks of its own: Lawrence Wong
  84. The Diplomat, 17 May 2023 – Rising India: A Welcome Partner for ASEAN?
  85. Borneo Bulletin, 17 May 2023 – Tackling climate change
  86. Berita Utama, 13 May 2023 – Bisakah ASEAN menyelesaikan konflik di Myanmar?
  87. The Straits Times, 10 May 2023 – Asean faces big test at its summit: Will it rise to the challenges?
  88. The Online Citizen Asia, 3 May 2023 – Common values should underpin the future of ASEAN
  89. Lowy Institute, 26 April 2023 – Quad should ask ASEAN to a diplomatic dance
  90. China US Focus, 17 April 2023 – THE DRAGON OR THE EAGLE: The Choice between China and the United States among the Asia Pacific Countries
  91. News9live, 15 April 2023 – ASEAN: How India is replacing China on the economic front
  92. DW, 10 April 2023 – EU seeks its own response to China’s aggression in Asia
  93. Taiwan News, 10 April 2023 – EU seeks its own response to China’s aggression in Asia
  94. Mint, 8 April 2023 – China’s huge Asian investments fail to buy it soft power
  95. Bizz Buzz, 7 April 2023 – India emerging as ‘global keeper of rule-based order’
  96. The Economist, 5 April 2023 – China’s huge Asian investments fail to buy it soft power
  97. News9, 4 April 2023 – China’s recent audacity in Arunachal emerges from India’s dynamic global standing
  98. The Jakarta Post, 2 April 2023 – India’s ASEAN rise: Where trust paves the path for partnership
  99. ANI, 1 April 2023 – India gaining more influence in ASEAN than China: Singapore Poll
  100. The Eurasian Times, 28 March 2023 – Singapore Polls Show India’s Growing Influence In ASEAN As More Nations Put Trust In Delhi Over Beijing
  101. South China Morning Post, 25 March 2023 – Debt fears could hobble China’s belt and road plans in Asean, economists warn
  102. Nikkei Asia, 23 March 2023 – U.S. needs its own ‘ASEAN center’
  103. China in the World, 20 March 2023 – The State of Southeast Asia in 2023
  104. The Jakarta Post, 19 March 2023 – India, the ray of hope for a region mired by superpower rivalry?
  105. RSIS Commentary, 17 March 2023 – Xi Jinping’s Foreign Policy in Light of the 20th Party Congress
  106. Japan Times, 15 March 2023 – Why Japan continues to be a land for optimism
  107. ANN, 13 March 2023 – Asean ‘unprepared’ for open conflict in Indo-Pacific: Experts
  108. VOA Indonesia, 13 March 2023 – Survei ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute: Mayoritas Orang Asia Tenggara Lebih Pilih AS Ketimbang Tiongkok
  109. The Jakarta Post, 11 March 2023 – ASEAN ‘unprepared’ for open conflict in Indo-Pacific
  110. Tagesspiegel, 10 March 2023 – Asean-Umfrage: Südostasien fürchtet Machtkampf zwischen China und den USA
  111. 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
  112. Asia Times, 7 March 2023 – Marcos vs Marcos in sibling spat over US-China policy
  113. Eurasia Review, 6 March 2023 – Manila’s New Geopolitical Push And Malaysia Must Step Up
  114. Borneo Bulletin, 5 March 2023 – Survey finds climate change, unemployment, recession among the concerns
  115. The Australian, 3 March 2023 – Quad nations tell China to follow the rules
  116. Japan Times, 3 March 2023 – Sustaining the expansion of strategic relations between India and Southeast Asia
  117. Japan Times, 3 March 2023 – Philippine leader’s embrace of U.S. troops near Taiwan revives old grievances
  118. Yahoo News, 3 March 2023 – Marcos Embrace of US Troops Near Taiwan Revives Old Grievances
  119. Bloomberg, 3 March 2023 – US Troop Expansion Near Taiwan Revives Old Debate in Philippines
  120. VTV Vietnam, 28 February 2023 – Thất nghiệp, suy thoái kinh tế – mối quan tâm hàng đầu của người dân ASEAN
  121. Lao Dong, 28 February 2023 – Vị thế đang lên của Ấn Độ trong khu vực ASEAN
  122. News9live, 27 February 2023 – Why India’s arrival on the global stage brings its own set of challenges
  123. News9live, 27 February 2023 – Why is India’s status among Asean nations rising?
  124. SCMP, 27 February 2023 – Why is India’s status among Asean nations rising?
  125. Kompas, 27 February 2023 – Metamorfosis Kebijakan India di Asia Tenggara
  126. Food Navigator, 27 February 2023 – A region infuriated: Confidence in EU trade plummets in ASEAN as palm oil sector formally unites
  127. VTV Singapore, 25 February 2023 – SUY THOÁI KINH TẾ LÀ NỖI LO HÀNG ĐẦU CỦA NGƯỜI DÂN ASEAN
  128. 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
  129. Sina News, 21 February 2023 – 葛红亮:后疫情时代,东南亚面临紧迫挑战
  130. HuanQiu, 21 February 2023 – 后疫情时代,东南亚面临紧迫挑战
  131. The Alantic, 20 February 2023 – Biden’s Military-First Posture in the East Is a Problem
  132. Kompas, 20 February 2023 – Tiga Negara yang Paling Diuntungkan Perang Ukraina
  133. El Pais, 19 February 2023 – A new Cold War between the US and China is spreading around the world
  134. SCMP, 18 February 2023 – In war of narratives, where does Southeast Asia stand in Ukraine-Russia conflict?
  135. MENAFN, 18 February 2023 – Myanmar’s Overlooked But Not-Yet-Forgotten War
  136. SCMP, 17 February 2023 – Malaysian PM Anwar’s suggestion of Asean ‘carving out Myanmar’ faces uphill task
  137. BFM, 17 February 2023 – SEA Caught In The Middle
  138. DW, 17 February 2023 – Can ASEAN benefit from the EU’s green agriculture push?
  139. Lianhe Zaobao, 17 February 2023 – 中国外交上失去了菲律宾?
  140. ANN, 16 February 2023 – Indonesia warns of ‘open conflict’ in Indo-Pacific
  141. SCMP, 16 February 2023 – East Timor has Indonesia’s backing, but road to Asean filled with financial concerns
  142. Asia Times, 16 February 2023 – Myanmar election ploy threatens to split ASEAN and West
  143. CNN Philippines, 16 February 2023 – Filipinos see climate change, unemployment, military tensions as top challenges in Southeast Asia — study
  144. The Jakarta Post, 15 February 2023 – Indonesia warns of ‘open conflict’ in Indo-Pacific
  145. The Star, 15 February 2023 – Indonesia warns of ‘open conflict’ in Indo-Pacific
  146. The Strategist, 15 February 2023 – State of Southeast Asia Survey 2023: It takes three to tango
  147. Berita Harian, 14 February 2023 – Pengaruh AS di Asia Tenggara berkembang walau China kekal paling berpengaruh
  148. The Straits Times, 14 February 2023 – Surveys flag S-E Asia’s power shifts
  149. Daily Economic, 14 February 2023 – ISEAS调查:经济是东南亚人最关心的问题
  150. Kompas, 13 February 2023 – Menanti ”Hal Kecil” dari ASEAN
  151. 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
  152. CNA, 13 February 2023 – China seen as most influential power in Southeast Asia: ASEAN Studies Centre
  153. Khmer Times, 13 February 2023 – Confidence in ASEAN’s leadership in free trade up at 23.5% in 2023
  154. DW, 13 February 2023 – Survei: Citra Uni Eropa Menguat di Asia Tenggara
  155. The Jakarta Post, 13 February 2023 – Economy tops Southeast Asians’ concerns, ISEAS Survey finds
  156. Asia News Network, 13 February 2023 – Economy tops Southeast Asians’ concerns: ISEAS Survey
  157. VTV Singapore, 13 February 2023 – HAI CHUYẾN THĂM NÂNG CAO UY TÍN, VỊ THẾ VIỆT NAM
  158. Berita Satu, 13 February 2023 – Survei Pusat Studi ASEAN: Indonesia Pilih Tiongkok Dibandingkan AS
  159. The Malaysia Reservce, 13 February 2023 – State of Southeast Asia Survey
  160. LHZB, 12 February 2023 – 如果大家都不演,谁来共舞这时代
  161. 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
  162. Malay Mail, 12 February 2023 – Survey finds seven in 10 Malaysians will pick China over US despite worry about its influence within Asean
  163. Malay Mail, 12 February 2023 – Regional survey show joblessness, recession, top list of concerns for Malaysians post pandemic
  164. TCIJ, 12 February 2023 – Research suggests ‘ASEAN nations’ are increasingly favoring the US in the ‘Biden’ era.
  165. SCMP, 11 February 2023 – As US military ‘encircles’ China, does Asean ‘quietly welcome’ it?
  166. VOA Burmese, 11 February 2023 – ျမန္မာ့အေရး အေရွ႕ေတာင္အာရွ သုေတသီေတြရဲ႕ အျမင္တခ်ိဳ႕
  167. 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
  168. 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
  169. VOA, 10 February 2023 – 东南亚民调:美国的受欢迎度上升,中国则在下降
  170. 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
  171. Sydney Today, 10 February 2023 – 東南亞調查報告:中國的地區影響力在下降
  172. DW, 10 February 2023 – Survey: EU’s influence surging in Southeast Asia
  173. 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
  174. The Straits Times, 9 February 2023 – Singaporeans see climate change as top challenge for S-E Asia in 2023: Survey
  175. The Straits Times, 9 February 2023 – Why South-east Asia, with China worries, sees India more favourably as a strategic partner
  176. The Straits Times, 9 February 2023 – Asian Insider: Balloon diplomacy | Sushi terrorism
  177. South China Morning Post, 9 February 2023 – US clout in Southeast Asia grows even as China still viewed as most influential: survey
  178. Bloomberg, 9 February 2023 – Biden’s Renewed Push in Southeast Asia Sees More in Favor of US
  179. Business World, 9 February 2023 – Japan’s economic leverage to undercut China, analysts say
  180. MSN, 9 February 2023 – Biden’s renewed push in Southeast Asia sees more in favour of US
  181. 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
  182. 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
  183. Daily Maverick, 9 February 2023 – Biden’s renewed push in Southeast Asia sees more in favour of US
  184. 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
  185. Think China, 9 February 2023 – State of Southeast Asia Survey 2023: Separate tangos with China and the US
  186. RFA, 2 February 2023 – 这回是西升东降?中国区域影响力恐降