The 2024 survey conducted by the ASEAN Studies Center at the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute aimed to discern the countries or regions perceived as holding the most influential economic power in Southeast Asia. Nearly 2,000 respondents from 10 member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) participated in the survey, reflecting the opinions of diverse stakeholders within the region.
Across all ASEAN nations surveyed, China emerged as the dominant force in terms of economic influence. Notably, Laos and Thailand exhibited the highest proportions of respondents selecting China, with 78% and 71% respectively. The report highlights China's significant economic involvement in Laos, serving as its largest foreign investor and primary export market.
While China consistently garners high scores across ASEAN countries, the United States also commands notable influence in the region. However, the Philippines stands out as the only nation where China, the U.S., and ASEAN were perceived to wield similar levels of influence, with each garnering around one-third of respondent selections. Interestingly, Filipinos rated Japan's economic influence highest compared to respondents from other ASEAN countries, with 9% of participants selecting Japan as the most influential.
