US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is reportedly preparing to fly to China next week after months of US-China relations hitting repeated new lows.
And a new survey from the Eurasia Group Foundation (covering Singapore, South Korea, and the Philippines) suggests many in the region will be cheering this resumption of dialogue:
- 💣 90% say they are worried about a US-China confrontation
- 📉 Most think US-China competition is negative for their country, both in terms of domestic polarisation and national security, and
- ➕ It’s not a zero-sum game: 31% have positive views of both the US and China, though the US is generally held in higher regard.
Intrigue’s take: This isn’t academic for the region (if anywhere). Just last week, South Korea’s president addressed the impact US-China competition is already having on his country’s huge semiconductor sector.
Stay on top of your world from inside your inbox.
Subscribe for free today and receive way much more insights.
Trusted by 114,000+ subscribers
No spam. No noise. Unsubscribe any time.
So it’s not surprising the region would yearn for de-escalation. But that doesn’t mean the region wants a smaller US military presence: more than 80% of respondents think military collaboration with the US is a good thing.
Also worth noting:
- In Singapore, 72% also support military collaboration with China.
- Singapore and China upgraded their relationship in April.
