IP25082
Author: Gilang Kembara
Published: 25 August 2025
China’s expanding defence ties with Southeast Asian countries mark a strategic shift from confidence-building to more robust military engagement, including joint combat exercises and arms procurements. While initiatives like 2+2 ministerial dialogues and multilateral exercises signal growing Chinese influence in the region, lingering tensions over the South China Sea and renewed US pressure – especially under President Donald Trump’s current administration – pose enduring challenges. Still, Beijing’s gradual approach reflects its ambition to be seen as a credible, and potentially alternative, security partner in the region.
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The Romanian Institute for Europe-Asia Studies (IRSEA) and S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS), NTU have agreed to enter into an informal agreement on republishing their studies and analysis.
The opinions expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect the official policy, position or view of IRSEA.