China Overtakes US as Top Choice for Southeast Asia, Survey Reveals

A recent survey of 1,994 Southeast Asians by the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute unveiled a significant shift in alliance preference, with China gaining prominence over the US. The study revealed that China's popularity surpassed that of the US, increasing from 38.9% to 50.5% in 2024. Notably, China garnered substantial support in Muslim-majority nations such as Malaysia, Indonesia, and Brunei. The findings underscore a substantial transformation in regional dynamics, with China emerging as the favored partner for Southeast Asian countries on a range of key issues including regional economic engagement and the Israel-Hamas War.