A composite Image of the Flags of China and the US, original Images from Wikimedia Commons |
September 3, 2024: US losing Ground to China in most of SEA
Here is a nice, long Article on the “Foreign Affairs” Website talking about how the United States (US) is losing Ground to China in most Countries in South East Asia (SEA) in Terms of Influence. I suggest everybody read it, you can find the Link below. In the meantime, here are some selected Excerpts from the Article itself:
* “In the Poll this Year, the Majority of Respondents picked China over the United States when asked whom ASEAN should align with if forced to choose between the two. This was the first time Respondents picked China since the Survey began posing this question in 2020.”
* “In its 2020 Survey—the first Year that the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute asked Respondents “If ASEAN were forced to align itself with one of the Strategic Rivals, which should it choose?”—50.2 percent chose the United States, compared with 49.8 percent who chose China, when responses are adjusted (as they have been since the 2022 poll) to ensure that the responses of each Country are represented by equal proportion. In 2023, 61 percent of Respondents chose the United States compared with 39 percent who chose China, although the United States fared below the overall average in Brunei, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, and Thailand. In the 2024 Survey, however, China edged past the United States as the Region’s choice of alignment Partner: 50.5 percent of Respondents chose China, and 49.5 percent chose the United States.”
* “Breaking down this Year’s result by Country shows that since the 2023 poll, the United States has lost the most ground to China among Respondents in Laos (a 30 percentage point decline), Malaysia (a 20 percentage point decline), Indonesia (a 20 percentage point decline), Cambodia (an 18 percentage point decline), and Brunei (a 15 percentage point decline). The United States has also lost ground in Myanmar and Thailand (10 and 9 percentage point declines, respectively).”
* “Western Media Outlets often carry Reports about the Debt Traps associated with China’s Belt and Road Initiative. But BRI Projects are generally welcomed in Southeast Asia for the growth and development potential they offer the recipient Country. One high-ranking Diplomat from the Region pronounced it a Model for how to win “Hearts and Minds.” In January, I traveled to Laos, where the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Retreat was taking place in Luang Prabang, the Country’s Cultural and Spiritual Center. There were no Signs of competition for Influence between China and the United States; Chinese Influence alone pervaded People’s daily Lives. Residents of Luang Prabang spoke positively of the boost to local Businesses since April 2023, when a BRI-affiliated Railway running through the City and connecting Laos to China opened fully.”
Here is the Link to the Article on the “Foreign Affairs” Website: https://www.foreignaffairs.com/united-states/america-losing-southeast-asia
July 30, 2024: “China-Philippines ties may improve, as long as US stops interfering” Article at GT
Philippine Political Observer Herman Tiu Laurel wrote an Article for the Chinese “Global Times (GT)” News Publication recently titled, “China-Philippines ties may improve, as long as US stops interfering”. Here are some selected Excerpts from that Article:
* “It should be noted that Tensions between China and the Philippines began in early 2023, when retired US Air Force Colonel Raymond Powell, with the help of the US Office of Naval Research, conceived a "Cognitive Warfare" Operation known as "Project Myoushu."”
* “The Modus Operandi was to provoke Deterrent or Police Action from the China Coast Guard. Philippine Coast Guard Vessels or privately hired Ships attempted to smuggle prohibited Materials or violate Fish Sanctuaries, which are restricted for Conservation Purposes. These Philippine Vessels also transported Western and Filipino Media to film, report, and denounce China's actions as "Bullying."”
* “Powell, the Chief of the US Project Myoushu, openly admits that the Aim of his operation is to exact reputational costs on China and generate international support for the Philippine Cause. However, both Efforts have failed. According to the State of Southeast Asia 2024 survey, compiled by the Singapore-based ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute in April, over half of Southeast Asians now prefer to align with China rather than the US. ASEAN Member Countries are critical of the Philippines' unilateral and disruptive Activities.”
Here is the Link to the Article at the GT Website: https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202407/1317027.shtml