Southeast Asia is increasingly sceptical of US commitment to the region as a strategic partner and a source of security, while China’s reach is seen as growing both politically and economically, the study also showed. Some Western governments have accused China of pulling countries into a debt trap with the initiative, an accusation China has denied. Six out of ten respondents said US influence globally had deteriorated from a year ago and two-thirds believed US engagement with Southeast Asia declined. Fewer than one in 10 saw China as “a benign and benevolent power,” with nearly a half saying Beijing possessed “an intent to turn Southeast Asia into its sphere of influence”. The United Nations says 730,000 Rohingya Muslims have fled from Myanmar’s Rakhine State to Bangladesh since the military’s crackdown on insurgent attacks.

Source: Mint January 06, 2019 17:15 UTC