Linking China's hegemonic intentions through its institutions in Southeast Asia

Asia's Machtpolitik Linking China's hegemonic intentions through its institutions in Southeast Asia Sankalp Ambekar Abstract Since pre-colonial times, the major powers in the region contesting and vying to influence Southeast Asia and South China Seas. However, in modern times things did not change much, though China came out as a revisionist and status quo power. And Chinese-led multilateral institutions are the new provider in this business. It rapidly became a first choice and alternative option to West-led institutions with long-term expertise in DFI. Moreover, certain ASEAN states are divided politically and economically, not having a unified stance on how they should approach China's behaviour. Although China's encroachment over the South China Sea and issue with Taiwan became severe concerns over the region's stability. Hence, China is an element of passive-aggressive and hegemonic intentions in its behaviour. But it is difficult to predict how it will shape the future of the region and Asia, as the region's dynamics change rapidly. Thus, a link with grave ambtions connects to China's behaviour. Keywords: China; free trade agreement (FTA); hegemony; multilateralism; maritime trade; regional powers; Southeast Asia; South China Sea; trade bloc