THE RED DRAGON SHADOW:

Defining the China Factor and Its Influences

on Southeast Asian Political-Economy

CONTENT OVERVIEW
I. The Dragons Ambitions and Interest in Southeast Asia
II. The Red Dragon Friend or Foe?
III. Chinas Sway and Influence over the region
IV. The Dragon, the Giants and their Battle for Regional
Dominance
V. Conclusion

I. The Dragons Ambitions and Interest in

Southeast Asia
Maintain a stable political and security environment,
particularly on Chinas periphery, that will allow
Chinas economic growth to continue.
Maintain and expand trade routes transiting
Southeast Asia.
Gain access to regional energy resources and raw
materials.
Develop trade relationships for economic and
political purposes.

I. The Dragons Ambitions and Interest in

Southeast Asia
Isolate Taiwan
Gain influence in the region to defeat perceived
attempts at strategic encirclement or
containment.
Develop bilateral and multilateral security
relationships with Southeast Asian States.

II. The Red Dragon A Friend or a Foe?

Trade and Economic Cooperation Between China and
Southeast Asia
Chinas Trade Policy in Southeast Asia
1.Establishing the China-ASEAN Free-Trade Area
(CAFTA)
2.Expanding border trade
3.Developing a trade network comprising Chinese
businesses, businesspeople, and cultural exchanges.

High-Income ASEAN Countries

Brunei
Singapore

Middle-Income ASEAN Countries

Indonesia
Malaysia
Thailand
Philippines

Low-Income ASEAN Countries

Vietnam
Myanmar
Cambodia
Laos

III. Chinas Sway and Influence over the Region

Difference of Soft Power and Hard Power
Soft Power
1. Culture
2. Political Principles
3. Foreign Policies

IV. The Dragon, the Giants and their Battle

for Regional Dominance
China and Japan
China and the United States of America
China versus India

CONCLUSION
All through the years, it had made several ties like with
the ASEAN, CAFTA, EU and different organizations that
allowed it to move freely in the economic sphere. Its
growing economy not only made itself one of the most
powerful nation in the world but at the same time ,
made progress in the entire region particularly in
Southeast Asia .The success of the nation had not only
benefited itself but also the entire region.

CONCLUSION
It continues to struggle in rebuilding its relationship with
different Southeast Asian nations that had been
destroyed by the western influences. Its strategy that
helps itself propagate and spread its influences and
power over the region continues but a t the same time
preserves their sub agenda that is to rebuild foreign
Asian relations. It continues to strive to help their little
brothers in Asia.

CONCLUSION
Completely misunderstood by all the wrong view, China continues
to reestablish itself in the region specifically in Southeast Asia.
Issues like China being a leech sucking all the resources and
economic revenues of the region had grown but are complete
misconceptions. But in a larger point of view, they had done so
many things that had not only helped different countries in SEA,
but at the same time made ties that had benefited a lot of states
and people at the end of the day.
Up to this day, the country is still striving and making amends to
the lost ties it has with the different states in the region. Making
economic ties with SEA and ASEAN nations that both satisfy the
nations interest and help the other parties involved.