Southeast Asia Turns to China as US Influence Wanes
Get the Geopolitics newsletter
Daily geopolitics — wars, elections, sanctions, the diplomatic moves that move markets. Free.
- United States signed a defense agreement with Indonesia, but the Indonesian defense and foreign ministries clashed over granting US overflight rights above the Strait of Malacca, leading to a hold on access.
- Indonesia shows 80% of survey respondents favor alignment with China over the US, according to the ISEAS‑Yusof Ishak Institute’s State of Southeast Asia 2026 survey.
- Singapore Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan publicly questioned the legality and usefulness of the US‑Iran war, stating it undermines the UN Charter principles.
- China is now perceived by a narrow majority (52%) of ASEAN respondents as more aligned with regional interests than the US, reflecting a shift in strategic preference.
Why it matters: Indonesia's defense ministry, Chinese defense ties, 80% of Indonesians favor China, reducing US arms market share in the region; the loss of US overflight rights threatens Washington's strategic logistics and likely raises Chinese influence in maritime security.
Ask SkimNews
