IP25097

Author: Tsjeng Zhizhao Henrick

Published: 08 October 2025

China’s proffered leadership of a reshaped international system does hold allure for many in Southeast Asia. For one, there was a sizeable turnout by Southeast Asian leaders during the Victory Day Parade. Additionally, ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn participated in both the SCO-Plus summit and the Xiangshan Forum. There are several reasons behind such Southeast Asian support.

First, China was perceived as keen to reform the international order to give the Global South a voice. During the Xiangshan Forum, Chinese Defence Minister Dong Jun said his country was opposed to military alliances and “exclusive blocs aimed at hegemony”. He urged the reform and improvement of the global governance system to maintain a “more just and reasonable” global order.

For full article, please open the link:

https://rsis.edu.sg/rsis-publication/idss/ip25097-is-a-china-led-order-emerging-in-southeast-asia/

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.