(Photo courtesy George Washington University)Thailand's increasing defence cooperation with China and other powers will not wreck similar cooperation with the United States, an American expert on China says. "You will not see significant change at the regional level, but I assume we will see change in the China policy. Mr Trump has criticised Beijing for taking economic advantage of the US in the tension-filled South China Sea by building massive island fortresses. However, Mr Shambaugh insisted Thailand and other countries in the regional pact should not take sides in the dispute. "Under Xi Jinping, China has really moved from being a free rider in global governance to a much more constructive, active participating contributor," Mr Shambaugh said.

Source: Bangkok Post January 17, 2017 21:53 UTC