China-Asean Relations: Implications for U.S. Interests

Abstract

Since the establishment of ASEAN, relations between China and ASEAN were not so good. Till early 1990s China viewed ASEAN with suspicion as being anti-communist block. However, by the mid-1990s, Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and China developed their relations and currently they have established very strong economic and trade, and political relations as well as security cooperation. On the other hand, inspired by vibrant economic growth of ASEAN member countries and with permanent objective to check the growing influence of China, USA is also actively engaged to stabilize bilateral as well as multi-lateral relations with the countries of this region. This paper attempts to describe China-ASEAN economic, trade and political relations along with their security cooperation. The paper also discusses the possible implications of China-ASEAN relations for the American interests in the region.