The role of China’s foreign policy with Chinese characteristics in Southeast Asia
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2025
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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
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National Institute of Development Administration
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Panitta Sriwongyu (2025). The role of China’s foreign policy with Chinese characteristics in Southeast Asia. Retrieved from: https://repository.nida.ac.th/handle/123456789/7206.
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The role of China’s foreign policy with Chinese characteristics in Southeast Asia
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Abstract
China’s growing interest in Southeast Asia, focusing on preventing any anti-China groups, increasing trade, building strategic relationships, and securing land claims. China’s power makes some countries uneasy, its diplomatic actions and significant rewards to certain weaker nations have stopped a united opposition from forming within ASEAN, a key regional organization. China’s foreign policy in Southeast Asia is characterized by a variety of aspects, influenced by collaborative as well as hostile forces. China’s foreign policy in Southeast Asia is a sophisticated combination of economic projects, strategic diplomacy, and concerns regarding regional security, with the goal of strengthening its impact while navigating the inherent conflicts and competitive dynamics in the area. There are 4 objectives of the study 1) To understand the internal and external factors of China’s foreign policy with Chinese characteristics formulation. 2) To acknowledge the explanation of China’s foreign policy with Chinese characteristics. 3) To examine the implementation of China’s foreign policy with Chinese characteristics in Southeast Asia. 4) To study the role of China’s foreign policy with Chinese characteristics in Southeast Asia.
This study is qualitative research in the form of a targeted examination of the designated area of interest. The principal focus of this research is to detail the ways in which China’s diplomatic and economic maneuvers have affected its partnerships with Southeast Asia. My hypothesis posits that China’s foreign policy towards Southeast Asia may be elucidated through a series of determinants, which encompass China’s “Motivational factors” or internal factors, “Context” or external factors, and “China’s intentions.” The relevant stakeholders, policymakers, and practitioners involved in China’s foreign policy towards Southeast Asia were consulted for the purpose of data acquisition and examined three distinct roles that influence the interplay between regional security and economic relations within Southeast Asia.
The research result of the role of China’s foreign policy with Chinese characteristics in Southeast Asia found that China’s foreign policy, characterized by its unique attributes, is centered on the examination of its foreign policy that reflects distinctive features arising from contributions of Chinese scholars to the theory of IR from a Chinese viewpoint. Scholars in Chinese IR are instrumental in shaping both the theoretical foundations and the practical dimensions of China’s foreign policy. The internal factors are of paramount importance in influencing China’s foreign policy, driven by a complex interplay of history and cultural tradition, ideology, governmental leadership and political structure, economic modernization, and soft power. China’s diplomatic stance is clearly defined by a multifaceted relationship with various external factors, which feature regional multilateralism, geopolitical factors, and global economic trends. The last factor is China’s intentions toward Southeast Asia, which are multifaceted, influenced by strategic, economic, and geopolitical dimensions.
In Southeast Asia, the implementation of China’s foreign policy is distinguished by a synthesis of economic partnerships, diplomatic engagements, and soft power endeavors, with a pronounced focus on its national objectives. Established in the doctrines of peaceful coexistence and regional stability, China intends to adjust the regional order without the use of force, primarily focusing on economic leverage and diplomatic assurances. The fundamental aspects involve the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), solid strategic alliances, and key frameworks such as ASEAN Plus Three and the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation (LMC). For instance, the Sino-Vietnamese relationship exemplifies a blend of collaboration and discord—while border treaties and joint economic zones have been established, tensions continue to exist in the South China Sea. In Malaysia, China has undertaken significant infrastructure initiatives as part of the BRI, thereby fortifying economic ties while simultaneously provoking debates concerning sovereignty and dependency. Concurrently, Indonesia has emerged as a pivotal partner, benefiting from significant Chinese investments in areas such as transportation and finance, which align with Jakarta’s developmental aspirations. Nonetheless, apprehensions regarding debt sustainability, labor conditions, and environmental ramifications persist. Throughout the region, China’s policy integrates economic incentives and diplomatic gestures with strategic assertiveness, particularly in territorial disputes, thereby reflecting its overarching objective to cultivate influence while circumventing direct confrontation.
China’s roles in Southeast Asia are congruent with its broader objectives on the continent at large: they are mainly characterized by economic and political roles in the region. According to the data gathered for this study, access for Chinese firms and opportunities for infrastructural investments are crucial economic interests for China within Southeast Asia. Politically, Southeast Asia is an example of China’s search for partners with stable regimes. The form of governance or the nature of leadership is of little consequence, provided that China is assured of the predictability of its counterparts. The prospective course of China-ASEAN relations will likely depend on China’s ability to harmonize its geopolitical ambitions with regional confidence-building and collective development objectives.
Further research should aim to deepen empirical evidence, diversify theoretical lenses, and include multilevel perspectives (state, society, regional institutions). This approach will not solely enhance the scholarly dialogue but will also provide practical insights for policymakers navigating the evolving China-Southeast Asia relationship.
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Thesis (Ph.D. (Politics and Development Strategy)--National Institute of Development Administration, 2025