What Southeast Asians Think About Rising Chinese and U.S. Influence

What we’re showing

The results of a 2024 survey conducted by the ASEAN Studies Centre at ISEAS - Yusof Ishak Institute. Respondents were asked if they were "worried" or "welcoming" of rising Chinese and American geopolitical influence in their country.

The countries surveyed all belong to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), a political and economic union of 10 states in Southeast Asia.

China causes slightly more worry

A significant share of respondents from all 10 countries are worried about rising influence from the U.S. and China. Overall average skepticism is higher for China, though, at 74% (versus 59% for U.S.).

Notable outliers include Vietnam and Myanmar, where over 95% of respondents said they were worried about China’s growing influence.

Worried about both

Thailand was also unique, with 84% worried about China, and 80% worried about the U.S. In all other ASEAN nations, there is a clear preference for one of the two superpowers.