Elite Perceptions of a China-Led Regional Order in Southeast Asia
How do Southeast Asian states perceive a China-led regional order? To answer this question, we conducted a survey of elites from Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam, countries that are “least likely” to acquiesce to a China-led regional order. Our survey indicates...
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| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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SAGE Publishing
2025-04-01
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| Series: | Journal of Current Southeast Asian Affairs |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1177/18681034241294093 |
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| _version_ | 1849394986939842560 |
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| author | Selina Ho Terence Lee |
| author_facet | Selina Ho Terence Lee |
| author_sort | Selina Ho |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | How do Southeast Asian states perceive a China-led regional order? To answer this question, we conducted a survey of elites from Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam, countries that are “least likely” to acquiesce to a China-led regional order. Our survey indicates that although most elites view China as influential and have a cultural affinity with it, they do not perceive China as having the authority to preside over the regional order. They do not identify with China's political values and the normative order it propounds. Our survey also reveals the salience of ASEAN as the region navigates great power rivalry. We explain these views by drawing from the concept of legitimate authority. Our findings are significant; if China cannot persuade its Southeast Asian neighbours of its right to lead, it will be even harder for China to exercise global leadership. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-b46f063e30cd4a559a34bedd8e1ff3ab |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1868-1034 1868-4882 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
| publisher | SAGE Publishing |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Current Southeast Asian Affairs |
| spelling | doaj-art-b46f063e30cd4a559a34bedd8e1ff3ab2025-08-20T03:39:48ZengSAGE PublishingJournal of Current Southeast Asian Affairs1868-10341868-48822025-04-014410.1177/18681034241294093Elite Perceptions of a China-Led Regional Order in Southeast AsiaSelina Ho0Terence Lee1 , , Singapore, Singapore Department of Political Science, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, , Singapore, SingaporeHow do Southeast Asian states perceive a China-led regional order? To answer this question, we conducted a survey of elites from Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam, countries that are “least likely” to acquiesce to a China-led regional order. Our survey indicates that although most elites view China as influential and have a cultural affinity with it, they do not perceive China as having the authority to preside over the regional order. They do not identify with China's political values and the normative order it propounds. Our survey also reveals the salience of ASEAN as the region navigates great power rivalry. We explain these views by drawing from the concept of legitimate authority. Our findings are significant; if China cannot persuade its Southeast Asian neighbours of its right to lead, it will be even harder for China to exercise global leadership.https://doi.org/10.1177/18681034241294093 |
| spellingShingle | Selina Ho Terence Lee Elite Perceptions of a China-Led Regional Order in Southeast Asia Journal of Current Southeast Asian Affairs |
| title | Elite Perceptions of a China-Led Regional Order in Southeast Asia |
| title_full | Elite Perceptions of a China-Led Regional Order in Southeast Asia |
| title_fullStr | Elite Perceptions of a China-Led Regional Order in Southeast Asia |
| title_full_unstemmed | Elite Perceptions of a China-Led Regional Order in Southeast Asia |
| title_short | Elite Perceptions of a China-Led Regional Order in Southeast Asia |
| title_sort | elite perceptions of a china led regional order in southeast asia |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1177/18681034241294093 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT selinaho eliteperceptionsofachinaledregionalorderinsoutheastasia AT terencelee eliteperceptionsofachinaledregionalorderinsoutheastasia |