CHINATOPIX Southeast Asia is at the crux of US-China competition: China, with centuries-old ties to the region, is its biggest trade partner; US influence stems from its soft power and defense treaties.Choosing one superpower over the other may seem too drastic a move for a region that counts close to 700 million people, including a significant Chinese diaspora.But the South China Sea's fishing and hydrocarbon resources, and fears of spillover from any Taiwan conflict, may force Southeast Asia to make difficult choices. Save for later Print Download Share LinkedIn Twitter The Issue
