Scholars say US president-elect Joe Biden can be expected to put more emphasis on diplomacy, rather than the sort of military moves favoured by President Donald Trump, which have included naval ship passages through disputed waters and arms sales to China’s regional rivals. This approach has unsettled some Southeast Asian leaders, who seek stable relations with both superpowers. Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam, caught in the maritime sovereignty dispute with China while depending on the same communist neighbour for economic help, should now  expect a US leader who will support them in working out a maritime code of conduct with China, said Dr Alan Chong, an Associate Professor at RSIS.