China's Footprints in Southeast Asia

Edited by Maria Serena I. Diokno, Hsin-Huang Michael Hsiao and Alan H. Yang

With contributions from Ian Tsung-yen Cheng, Yumi Kitamura, Ngeow Chow Bing, Teng-Chi Chang, Natalia Soebagjo, Dennis T. Trinidad

The countries that make up Southeast Asia are seeing an incredible resurgence in their economic power. Over the past fifty years, their combined wealth has reached the same level as the United Kingdom and, taken together, they are on track to become the fifth-largest world economy. But that stability and success has drawn the attention of the second largest world economy—China. The emerging superpower is increasingly involved in Southeast Asia as part of the ongoing global realignment. As China deepens its influence across the region, the countries of Southeast Asia are negotiating spaces for themselves in order to respond to—or even challenge—China’s power.

                  This is the first book to survey China’s growing role in Southeast Asia along multiple dimensions. It looks closely and skeptically at the multitude of ways that China has built connections in the region, including through trade, foreign aid, and cultural diplomacy. It incorporates examples such as the operation of Confucius Institutes in Indonesia or the promotion of the concept of guangxi. China’s Footprints in Southeast Asia raises the question of whether the Chinese efforts are helpful or disruptive and explores who it is that really stands to benefit from these relationships. The answers differ from country to country, but, as this volume suggests, the footprint of hard and soft power always leaves a lasting mark on other countries’ institutions.

"...This fascinating volume is a must read for a broader understanding of China’s engagement in Southeast Asia and the transformation of Sino-Southeast Asian relations in contemporary times."  - Yos Santasombat

Maria Serena I. Diokno is professor of History at the University of the Philippines Diliman.

Hsin-Huang Michael Hsiao is distinguished research fellow, Institute of Sociology, Academia Sinica, Taiwan and senior advisor to the President of Taiwan.

Alan H. Yang is associate professor and associate research fellow, Graduate Institute of East Asian Studies and Institute of International Relations, and executive director, Center for Southeast Asian Relations, National Chengchi University, Taiwan.

Publication Year: 2018
248 pages, 229mm x 152mm 
Paperback
ISBN: 978-981-4722-89-6 

NUS Press