Abstract
Since Xi Jinping was elected General Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) in November 2012, the Chinese leadership has made a series of policy shifts on Southeast Asia, demonstrated both in its policy proclamation and in China’s increasing engagement with the region. On the policy level, the Chinese leadership has declared its commitment to transforming the China-ASEAN relationship from a strategic partnership into a “community of common destiny” based on the strengthened four pillars of China-ASEAN relations. In practice, China is devoting itself to building a positive image, offering more public goods, and participating more actively in the shaping of norms and rules concerning the South China Sea and in the management of major power competition in the region. With regard to the formal establishment of the ASEAN Community, China is taking new initiatives to promote relations with the ASEAN by fostering common values and strategic trust while enhancing regional economic development.
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