China’s diplomatic offensive in Southeast Asia is a source of growing concern within the U.S. policy community. While advocates of a China threat scenario have long argued that China desires regional hegemony, even more sanguine policy analysts are now taking notice of China’s recent advances in the region. This study group will address several important questions:

What is the nature of China’s economic, security, and political diplomacy in the region?

What issues outside security and trade and investment shape China’s relations with Southeast Asian countries (e.g. drugs, environment, health, migration and the overseas Chinese communities)?

How has China’s more proactive policy been received by the various Southeast Asian states?

What are the potential areas for cooperation and conflict between the United States and China in the region?

What role does Japan play? And how do U.S. relations with Japan affect U.S.-China relations?

How is the U.S. war against terrorism changing the political dynamics in the region, offering greater or lesser opportunities for each of the three powers—China, Japan, and the U.S.—to strengthen its position?

After two study group meetings and a two-week trip to Southeast Asia, the project director will produce an article for publication addressing these issues.