ASEAN and Chinese Scholars Share Views on SEA Survey Report

On 16 April 2025, the ASEAN-China Centre (ACC) and Guangxi Minzu University co-organised the Seminar on the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute’s State of Southeast Asia (SEA) 2025 Survey Report at Guangxi Minzu University in Nanning. The Seminar was participated by scholars from Singapore, Thailand, Brunei, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam and China. Consul-General of Thailand, Cambodia, Malaysia, Myanmar, and consul of Vietnam in Nanning were also present at the Seminar. 

The representative from the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute presented key findings of the 2025 State of Southeast Asia Survey and provided an in-depth interpretation and analysis on the survey result. Scholars from ASEAN countries and China shared their reflection on the survey result and also held discussion on the implication of the latest U.S. tariff measures to Southeast Asia and beyond.

Scholars shared their views on how the 2025 survey report reflects the delicate balancing act of ASEAN countries towards major powers and held that the prevailing perception may swing at different points of time based on the development in the world. The discussion underscored China’s role as an important partner and a responsible stakeholder for the region as the survey result shows that China remains the most influential economic and political-strategic power in the region. 

Scholars underlined that it is imperative for ASEAN and China to strengthen regional economic integration, enhance trade and investment especially in the area of digital transition and AI, as well as cooperation on non-traditional security issues such as climate change. The two sides should also closely cooperate to uphold the rules-based multilateral trading system and safeguard peace, stability, and sustainable development of the region and the world. Scholars also emphasized the significance of communication and trust-building between China and ASEAN in order to overcome the prevailing geopolitical concerns. 

Secretary General Shi concluded that the 2025 Survey Report shows the pursuit of Southeast Asia to seek stable and peaceful environment for regional development. In the face of complex global uncertainties, ASEAN and China should assert regional leadership to navigate external volatility, strengthen unity and cooperation to ensure common prosperity and sustainable development of the region. He highlighted that China firmly supports ASEAN's centrality, and is ready to further strengthen economic and people-to-people exchanges, so as to build solid mutual trust and turn crises into opportunities.