The PRC’s Maritime Silk Road Initiative, Southeast Asia, and the United States

Abstract

This chapter considers the interaction among China, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), and the United States and how the issue of regional trust affects Beijing’s core strategic interests. The New Silk Road maritime version opened up fresh areas of economic and strategic space around China. It spelled out clearly to the country’s maritime neighbours the opportunities and benefits of engaging more with Chinese investment, Chinese trade, and Chinese growth just as the land Silk Road had done for the Central Asian partners. In this complex political and diplomatic context, the regional response to the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has been a mixture of applause and excitement alongside caution.