Challenges and opportunities for the development of ASEAN in the context of the US-China confrontation

The article discusses the involvement of Southeast Asian countries in the initiatives promoted by Beijing and Washington, as well as the challenges and opportunities for its development stemming from this. The author emphasizes the increasing political and economic heft of ASEAN in the international scene and also its important role in the geopolitical confrontation between the PRC and the USA in the region. The strengthening of economic cooperation between the Association states and China is noted against the background of their increasingly deep cooperation with the US on security issues. The attempts of the United States and its allies to create infrastructure initiatives alternative to the Belt and Road Initiative are highlighted. Based on the fact that the US-Chinese competition is the main factor of tension in the region, it is concluded that the ASEAN countries continue the policy of involving other major players in regional processes. In the context of the changes taking place in the world, this creates favorable opportunities for Russia