Japan faces challenges with ASEAN as tensions over Taiwan grow

But also, what about the view of Japan by a lot people within the ASEAN Nations ?

A heck of a lot more favorable than their views of China, that's for sure. The CCP continues to buy off who they can and get some love from corrupt politicians and businessmen, but there is not a single country in East Asia where the people trust and like China.

What a vibrant photo, bursting with new ideas and dynamism!

China’s making trouble where it shouldn’t be, and shaking things up better left UN-shook. But China’s leaders don’t care one little bit so fasten your seatbelts.

OK. Everybody that believes China raise their hand....NO ONE...

Hahahaha!

No new pictures or articles huh?

Thanks for running that photo again! It reminds people that elbow taps, fist bumps and masks are done with.

In short, “they will side with China, not us!”.

No, they wouldn't. Didn't you read the full article?

The institute's survey also showed that 57.0 percent would pick the United States if ASEAN was forced to align itself with one of the two major rivals. China was chosen by 43.0 percent.

Most will side with the US and it's allies.

As long as the politicians keep getting their salaries to keep ‘challenging’ then everything will be all ok…

China's influence in the region is greatly increasing

That is true, China has lots of Money, and is throwing it around at poorer Nations - but, it also has a lot of strings attached to that money.

"In Japan, many people tend to form a negatively biased view on China's rise, but we'd better not label it as a negative thing for ASEAN nations,"

I wonder why that is ?

But also, what about the view of Japan by a lot people within the ASEAN Nations ?

 The CCP continues to buy off who they can 

China couldn't buy it if it wasn't for sale. Just saying .............

Japan's pockets keep getting lower than China's, and each individual ASEAN state is getting richer than Japan at economic growth.

None of those nations have anything remotely close to the personal income, wealth and high standard of living enjoyed by the Japanese, and none of those SE Asian nations have any likelihood of ever matching the living standard of Japan. Most of SE Asia is, cough cough, "governed" by corrupt generals or communist dictators (or both). They are not going to become economic rivals to Japan.

In short, “they will side with China, not us!”.

No, they wouldn't. Didn't you read the full article?

There are four ASEAN members who are Chinese client states and would side with them if push came to shove; namely Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar and Thailand. The Tatmadaw in Myanmar has an intense dislike of the Chinese but are aligned solidly with the Russians against the US and would in all likelihood side with China over the US if it ever came to that. The Thai military is a solid Chinese client now. They have walked away from the west. They try to play both sides of the street but the Generals who run Thailand owe their ability to rule to China and cheap Chinese military hardware with no strings attached (meaning no repercussions for using their arms against civilians).

Happy people holding hands without restrictive masks, good to see.

They look so happy

That one guy looks like he needs to go to the toilet

They look so happy

…

Pretending to help people whilst being on a gravy train, the best food, transportation, expenses, salary and a guaranteed pension-hard not to smile with a gig like that!

main challenge for Japan is to follow up steps from White House....keep american linked line.

Some people just won't accept the facts that China has more influence more money more military etc etc

And China is just getting stronger.

USA doesn't look like its getting stronger does it !

A heck of a lot more favorable than their views of China, that's for sure. The CCP continues to buy off who they can and get some love from corrupt politicians and businessmen, but there is not a single country in East Asia where the people trust and like China.

Money speaks louder than good words.

Japan's pockets keep getting lower than China's, and each individual ASEAN state is getting richer than Japan at economic growth.

It's merely a matter of time before Japan becomes irrelevant in ASEAN unless Japan allows ASEAN citizens to build their foreign concessions in Japan as well as an actual free trade within Japan where foreigners can freely do business or own assets without the Japanese government intervention. The later part is already becoming a reality, while the former is merely a matter of time.

ASEAN should align with India and the African Union. Together they could divide and conquer all the so-called great powers! Then colonize the Moon, Mars, and the moons of Jupiter.

But is Japan doing the right thing ?

All this talk about Japan being a leader is nonsense.

Japan has its own way of doing things.

Not long before Japan gets involved in a war that's instigated by the USA.

I wouldn't say that's doing the right thing.

A test of loyalty to democracy

Not all Democracies are the same !

The USA is a representative democracy or more accurately defined as a constitutional federal republic

USA isn't the boss of Asia anymore and its democracy a hidden agenda.

Japan faces challenges with ASEAN as tensions over Taiwan grow:

Rest assured that not all ASEAN members accept the way Japan bends to the wish of US practically every time.

ASEAN is an independent association, most of its members shun from taking sides, under coercion or not..