Seeking Influence: China’s Diplomacy Toward ASEAN After the Asian Crisis

This article analyzes the relations between the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in the wider context of international politics in Southeast Asia in the period following the 1997 Asian financial crisis. It describes developments in China-ASEAN relations after the Asian financial crisis, explores China’s motivations for enhancing ties with ASEAN, and examines the limits to China’s influence in the region. The argument here is that although China’s ties with ASEAN have advanced considerably after the Asian crisis, China continues to lack conduct-shaping and context-shaping power in Southeast Asia. The role of the United States and Japan in Southeast Asia, and the significance that ASEAN attaches to relations with these powers, are key factors in understanding why China’s influence vis-a-vis ASEAN remains limited. Beijing’s recent diplomatic offensive toward ASEAN remains relevant to Chinese leaders in view of Washington and Tokyo’s recent attempts to strengthen or at least defend their respective regional influence. China is therefore likely to continue to seek greater influence in the ASEAN region in the foreseeable future.