How Region Views Growing US-China Power Play

The Straits Times

17 May 2020

In South-east Asia, the COVID-19 pandemic has accentuated the strategic rivalry of China and the United States. US aircraft carrier Theodore Roosevelt called at Vietnam’s port of Da Nang in March, signalling the US’ continued interest to seek support or court countries with shared concerns on China’s assertiveness in the region, Dr Olli Suorsa, a Research Fellow at the RSIS told Vietnam media. Thailand, which under military rule (2014-2019) was more pro-China, repaired relations with the US as it held elections last year, especially military-to-military ties. Still, precipitated by the policies of the Donald Trump administration, US prestige in the region is in palpable decline despite its continued political and military presence, notes Prof Johan Saravanamuttu, adjunct Senior Fellow at the RSIS.

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