(AP photo)HONG KONG -- Southeast Asia appears to be on a roll. The growth is being fuelled by China, whose expanding economic presence is propping up fundamental weaknesses around Southeast Asia. Three years ago, the deployment of a Chinese oil rig in disputed waters in the South China Sea triggered anti-Chinese riots in Vietnam. "Southeast Asian countries are becoming more dependent on China," said Jean-Charles Sambor, deputy head of EM fixed income, BNP Paribas Asset Management. "Notwithstanding the recent introduction of restrictions on outbound investment, Chinese investment in Southeast Asia is likely to remain strong over the coming years," said Stephen Smith, lead partner at Deloitte Access Economics.

Source: Bangkok Post September 08, 2017 06:11 UTC