Once locked in war, Vietnam and the United States have built mature ties rooted in mutual economic and security interests.

Tens of millions of Chinese now identify as Christians, and the number has grown rapidly, posing challenges for a government that is officially atheist and wary of threats to its power.

South Korea’s megaconglomerates have helped lift the country out of poverty, but their extraordinary influence could put the health of the Korean economy at risk.

China is believed to spend billions of dollars to boost its international image, but it has yet to see a marked return on its investment in soft power.