China-ASEAN Relation: The China's Strategic and Economic Interest in ASEAN

China with its enormous population and the gigantic emerging economy is the main driver behind the geopolitical reconfiguration that is taking place. ASEAN is one of the areas that is affected most directly by the rise of China. It is a key importance to China for access to critical energy and natural resources. The region is significant as a potential conduit for the promotion of China’s diplomatic influence and for its strategic role as a vital crossroads of sea and land. China’s main motivation for involvement in ASEAN is to further its national economic, political and strategic interests. In facing the challenges more efforts need to be made to build new trust and initiate new mutually beneficial actions. The BRI provides a new framework and opportunity for China and ASEAN to deepen their relations through close consultation and cooperation. China’s rise, ASEAN’s integration and the shift of the international center of gravity to the Asia-Pacific (or a wider Indo-Pacific) region will test the future of ASEAN-China relations. This paper aims to examine China and ASEAN relations in their proper perspective in economic, political security and military implications. China and ASEAN as neighbors are linked together by geography and interests