Dongxi Question | Li Yonghui: Why is China the most powerful promoter of cooperation in Southeast Asia?

　　China News Agency, Beijing, July 5th: Why is China the most powerful promoter of cooperation in Southeast Asia?

　　Author Li Yonghui Former Dean, Professor and Doctoral Supervisor of School of International Relations, Beijing Foreign Studies University

　　On January 1 this year, the "Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership" (RCEP), initiated by ASEAN and including 10 ASEAN countries and 5 non-ASEAN countries, came into effect, marking the world's largest population, largest economic and trade scale, and most potential for development. The free trade zone has officially landed.

In November, APEC and G20 summits will also be held in Thailand and Indonesia, respectively, events that perhaps reflect the important reality of the rise of Southeast Asia.

　　Southeast Asia is our close neighbor, with a population of 650 million, a vast geographical space and rapid economic development. It is also the most popular tourist destination for many Chinese.

With the deepening of economic development and integration, Southeast Asia's global influence is increasing.

This is a world that is more unique and colorful than it appears: although there are only ten countries, its civilization covers Buddhism, Islam, Christianity and Confucian culture, politically it has different social systems, and its economy includes highly developed countries, LDCs.

At the same time, despite different national conditions, different interests, and even disagreements and conflicts, they can coexist peacefully on the whole, and continue to deepen regional integration, becoming a model for regional cooperation.

In April 2022, in Bangkok, Thailand, people worship Buddha in a Buddhist temple.

Photo by China News Agency reporter Wang Guoan

　　The rise of Southeast Asia is a geostrategic phenomenon worthy of attention.

With the launch of the "Indo-Pacific Strategy" by the United States, as a geographical hub connecting the Pacific and Indian Oceans, Southeast Asia has acquired a new geo-strategic connotation, and its strategic position has become increasingly prominent.

In this context, the region has become a stage for the game of great powers and an arena for various forces.

　　Last year, the Southeast Asia Strategy Act, passed by the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, clearly stated that Southeast Asia is the fulcrum of the Indo-Pacific region, providing land and sea links between East Asia and South Asia.

The United States will be committed to deepening long-term ties and partnerships with Southeast Asian countries, and strengthening cooperation in core areas such as economy, politics, security, and humanities.

In February this year, the United States released the "Indo-Pacific Strategy" document for the first time in the name of the White House, raising this strategy to a new level.

The strategy focuses on ASEAN. The full text mentions ASEAN 19 times and Southeast Asia 12 times, more than any other country.

In order to win over ASEAN, the document affirms its "central role" in the regional structure and "connecting role" in the "Indo-Pacific" region. The document clearly points out that the "Quad Mechanism" (QUAD) between the United States, Japan, India and Australia should be strengthened with ASEAN.

From May 12 to 13, U.S. President Biden held a summit with leaders of ASEAN countries in Washington. The U.S. showed an unprecedented sense of urgency and an unprecedented emphasis on Southeast Asia.

　　Japan, which has always attached importance to Southeast Asia, has already planned its layout.

Echoing the "New Southward Progress Theory", on August 27, 2016, Japanese Prime Minister Abe formally proposed the "Free and Open Indo-Pacific Strategy" (FOIP) vision at the 6th African Development Conference (TICAD) in Kenya. important part of it.

At the same time, Japan has also accelerated its expansion into Southeast Asia economically.

From January to May 2021, Japan's direct investment in China was only US$4 billion, a year-on-year decrease of 30.6%; while direct investment in ASEAN was about US$16.7 billion, an increase of 83.4%.

Wharf berths in Jipei Bonded Port Industrial Park, Indonesia.

Photo by Zhong Xin issued by China News Agency

　　India, which is actively striving to become a world power, is naturally not alone.

From "Look East" to "Act East", relying on traditional influence, with the help of realistic Indo-Pacific strategy and the support of the United States, India has been actively involved in Southeast Asian affairs in recent years, and has become more and more active .

　　Driven by the "Global Britain" strategy after Brexit, the United Kingdom actively seeks to return to the Indo-Pacific, especially Southeast Asia.

During the G7 Foreign Ministers' Meeting held in May last year, British Foreign Minister Truss took advantage of the UK's rotating presidency to invite foreign ministers from some ASEAN member states to attend the meeting via video link to show the UK's "concerns about the ASEAN region". ".

　　In addition, some middle powers, especially the allies of the United States in the Indo-Pacific region, have also missed the opportunity to further enhance and strengthen their relations with Southeast Asia.

In 2021, Australia officially established a comprehensive strategic partnership with ASEAN. Currently, only two countries (the other is China) have this "honor".

As the world's tenth largest economy, South Korea is also eager to try, proposing and actively promoting the "New Southern Policy", and is committed to strengthening cooperation with Southeast Asia.

　　The involvement and games of major powers have made the regional situation in Southeast Asia increasingly tense and complicated, but on the other hand, ASEAN has also gained the opportunity to maximize its interests and enhance its "centrality" and global strategic position.

　　While the geo-strategic status is improving, the geo-economic status of Southeast Asia is also rapidly improving.

At present, under the dual influence of the adjustment of relations between major powers and the new crown epidemic, the international economic structure is undergoing major changes, and the industrial chain and supply chain are being reorganized at an accelerated pace, and the conflict between Russia and Ukraine has further exacerbated this trend.

In this context, Southeast Asia, as one of the fastest growing regions in the world economy, is becoming an increasingly important force in the world economy and a key factor in the restructuring of industrial and supply chains.

　　With the rise of ASEAN's global strategic position, its status in China's global strategy and diplomacy has become increasingly important.

　　First of all, neighboring diplomacy is one of the four main directions of China's diplomacy, and ASEAN is the priority direction of China's neighboring diplomacy. In recent years, the security situation around China has become increasingly complex, and the importance of ASEAN has become more prominent.

　　Second, ASEAN is the strategic fulcrum of the “Belt and Road” construction.

Southeast Asia is not only a key node of the Maritime Silk Road, but also has two major corridors of the six major economic corridors of the Silk Road Economic Belt, which plays an irreplaceable role.

According to the "One Belt, One Road" Big Data Report (2018) released by the State Information Center of China, ASEAN countries account for 6 of the top ten countries in the "Belt and Road" country cooperation index.

　　Third, non-traditional security threats are growing, especially food security issues.

In recent years, China's food security issues have also attracted more and more attention, and with Russia and Ukraine, two major grain exporters, at war, this issue is more important and urgent than ever.

In this regard, on the one hand, we should firmly hold the rice bowl in our own hands, and on the other hand, we should actively seek diversification of food sources.

Southeast Asia, which is China's close neighbor and the world's major rice producing area and exporter, is undoubtedly an ideal replacement.

　　Economically speaking, Southeast Asia is of particular significance to China.

At present, the economic and trade integration between China and ASEAN is deepening, and Southeast Asia has become the main destination for the outward transfer of Chinese capital and industries.

The development of China-ASEAN trade relations is the most concentrated and direct manifestation of the development of bilateral economic relations.

In March 2019, the "Tabea" ship loaded with 303 containers pulled anchor and set sail at the Dalian Port Container Terminal, opening a new route to Indonesia, marking the Liaoning Port Group's foreign trade container route - "Sea and Land Maersk" The Indonesian route was officially launched.

Photo by Zhao Guanghui issued by China News Agency

　　In 2020, ASEAN surpassed the EU for the first time to become China's largest trading partner, and it will continue to maintain this position in 2021 and the first quarter of this year.

At the same time, in terms of bilateral trade relations, China is also the largest trading partner of all ASEAN countries.

For China, compared with the United States and Europe, Southeast Asia has special geo-economic advantages, and its geographical proximity greatly shortens the length of the supply chain, which not only reduces the economic cost, but also reduces the problems caused by the excessively long supply chain. security risks, and help to get out of the so-called "Malacca dilemma".

　　From a cultural point of view, China and Southeast Asia have a history of friendly exchanges of more than 2,000 years, and the influence of Chinese culture here is extensive and profound.

Today, cultural exchanges and cooperation between China and Southeast Asian countries have reached a new level.

The effective implementation of RCEP will not only promote the development of bilateral economic and trade relations, but also promote the further development of cultural exchanges between the two sides.

In addition, Southeast Asia has the world's largest overseas Chinese community, accounting for 70% of the world's overseas Chinese. They are not only the bridge of economic and trade between China and Southeast Asia, but also the link of cultural exchanges between the two sides.

It is this long-standing historical origin, extensive and close practical exchanges and cooperation, and continuous cultural ties that make the relationship between China and Southeast Asia have a three-dimensional and all-round feature, which has greatly improved the overall level of the relationship between the two sides. The relationship between China and Southeast Asian countries has become a successful example of the relationship between countries in the world today.

In October 2018, Mazu of Meizhou arrived at the International Cruise Terminal in the Port of Manila in the Philippines under the escort of 2,300 believers.

Photo by China News Agency reporter Guan Xiangdong

　　Ma Kaishuo, Distinguished Research Fellow of the Asian Institute of the National University of Singapore, Founding Dean of the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, and former Permanent Representative of Singapore to the United Nations once said that ASEAN is "a great gift from God to China" because of its contribution to regional peace, economic development and The "people-centered" cooperation concept and goal pursuit are highly compatible with China.

Similarly, China is also a great gift from God to Southeast Asian countries, because China is the most powerful promoter of ASEAN development and cooperation in Southeast Asia.

The rise of Southeast Asia is an indispensable part of the rise of East Asia. The exchange and cooperation between China and ASEAN is the core content and important guarantee of the rise of East Asia, with a solid foundation and broad prospects.

(Finish)

About the Author:

　　Li Yonghui, professor and doctoral supervisor of the School of International Relations, Beijing Foreign Studies University, executive director of the United Nations Association of China, executive director of the Chinese American Society, director of the International Politics Research Branch of the Beijing Higher Education Association, director of the China Peaceful Reunification Promotion Association, and executive director of the China International Exchange Association , Evaluation Expert of China Scholarship Council, Consultant Expert of China National Committee for UNESCO, Expert of Beijing International Exchange Center Construction .

The current research directions are: American Politics and Diplomacy, Diplomatic Strategy and Public Diplomacy. His representative works include "The History of the United Nations" (co-authored), "Contemporary World Political Economy and International Relations", "Multi-track Diplomacy" (translated), "Chinese Public Diplomacy Research" Report 2011/2012, "Interview with Zhou Enlai on Public Diplomacy", etc.