Abstract
Though Sino‐ASEAN relations improved in the 1970s, Indonesia and Singapore did not establish diplomatic relations with Beijing until 1990. China’s rise as a major power, its ‘open-door’ policy, the end of ideological bipolarity, and the uncertainties surrounding America’s future role in the region contributed to ASEAN’s reassessment of its attitude to China. Underlying the new cordiality was not only the prospect of mutually beneficial economic relations but also China’s greater willingness to engage in ASEAN’s multilateral processes and institutions. Yet not all ASEAN states were fully convinced that this new climate would continue to prevail. Lingering suspicions of China’s future intentions would lead some to stress the need for a residual US presence in the region. Generally, however, ASEAN’s response was a pragmatic one. For the moment and the near future, the promise of economic co-operation with China seems to outweigh security fears. What has yet to be determined is the relationship between short-term and long-term expectations, on the one hand, and between security and economic considerations, on the other.
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