Foreign Policy Talks Monthly Discussion: Global Public Opinion on China: China’s Standing in Southeast Asia’s Swing States with Kevin Zongzhe Li

Foreign Policy Talks is pleased to host a discussion of a new Asia Society Policy Institute report that takes a close look at public opinion toward China across Southeast Asia’s swing states. Drawing on long term survey data, the report shows that while attitudes toward China remain net positive across the region, they have steadily softened over time as economic interdependence, maritime tensions, and shifting strategic realities have reshaped public sentiment.

The report offers an important reminder that Southeast Asia does not respond to China in a uniform way. In maritime frontline states such as the Philippines and Vietnam, sovereignty disputes have produced sharper and more durable changes in public opinion. In maritime tension states such as Indonesia and Malaysia, attitudes have been more resilient, even as episodes of friction have raised scrutiny. In non frontline states such as Thailand and Singapore, views of China have remained comparatively stable, shaped more by economic ties, domestic politics, and social context than by direct security confrontation. Across all of these cases, the broader picture is one of cautious pragmatism rather than simple alignment or rejection.

This discussion will explore how citizens across the region perceive China, why those perceptions differ so markedly from one country to another, and what these trends reveal about the intersection of economics, sovereignty, and regional geopolitics.

Speaker:

• Kevin Zongzhe Li, Fellow, Center for China Analysis, Asia Society Policy Institute

Moderated by:

• Genevieve Donnellon-May, Board Member, Foreign Policy Talks

Date and Time:

• 15 August 2026, 19:00 WIB (Jakarta Time)

• 15 August 2026, 22:00 AEST (Melbourne Time)

• 15 August 2026, 08:00 EDT (New York Time)

To make the discussion more engaging, participants are encouraged to read the article in advance:

• https://asiasociety.org/policy-institute/global-public-opinion-china-chinas-standing-southeast-asias-swing-states

Please register through link below:

• foreignpolicytalks.com/MD-china-public-opinion

  
  

Registered participants will receive a confirmation email with the Zoom meeting link prior to the event. We look forward to welcoming you.

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