U.S.-China Rivalry: Southeast Asia’s Tough Choice

November 2018

Past Event

U.S.-China Rivalry: Southeast Asia’s Tough Choice

Past Event

Hudson Institute, Washington, D.C. Headquarters

November 19, 2018

November 2018

Past Event

1201 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Suite 400
Washington, DC 20004

Speakers:

Dr. John Lee

Senior Fellow, Hudson Institute

Dr. Amy Searight

Senior Adviser and Director of the Southeast Asia Program, Center for Strategic and International Studies

Dr. Patrick Cronin

Senior Adviser and Senior Director of the Asia-Pacific Security Program, Center for a New American Security.

Eric Brown (Moderator)

Senior Fellow, Hudson Institute

On November 19, Hudson Institute hosted a panel to discuss the rivalry between the U.S. and the People’s Republic of China and its implications for the region. Panelists included Hudson Senior Fellows John Lee and Eric Brown; CSIS’ Amy Searight; and CNAS’ Patrick Cronin.

Many in Asia have grown wary of the People’s Republic of China’s intentions and the risks that PRC’s “debt-trap diplomacy” and military ambitions pose to their security, sovereignty and economic prospects. Concurrently, the strategic, political and economic competition between America and China is deepening. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) insists on remaining neutral—and on staying clear of the now intensifying U.S.-PRC rivalry. As the 33rd ASEAN Summit concludes in Singapore, the panel will discuss the perspectives of the Southeast Asian countries positioned between the two most powerful players and economies in the world. Is this diplomatic fence-sitting still the better response for ASEAN countries, or is it time for these nations to make a choice?

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