On 25 February 2021, RSIS held a virtual book launch for Where Great Powers Meet: America and China in Southeast Asia. The session comprised panellists Dr David Shambaugh, author of the book, Prof Joseph Liow, Tan Kah Kee Chair in Comparative and International Politics and Research Adviser at RSIS, and Prof Ralf Emmers, Dean of RSIS.

About the Book

Southeast Asia is a region of critical global importance, and it is an increasing theatre of great power competition. As Dr Shambaugh explains in Where Great Powers Meet, the United States and China are engaged in a broad-gauged and global competition for power, which is intensifying across Southeast Asia. The United States and China constantly vie for position and influence across this enormously significant region – and the outcome of this contest will do much to determine the future of the entire Indo-Pacific regional order. Specifically, Dr Shambaugh explores whether the region is becoming a new Chinese sphere of influence – or whether the ASEAN states will be able to successfully “hedge” and maintain a multinational balance of power. Just as importantly, to the extent that there is a global “power transition” occurring from the US to China, the fate of Southeast Asia will be a good indicator of how it may play out elsewhere.

Catch it here on the RSISVideoCast YouTube channel: