On the afternoon of July 1, 2025, the Center for American Studies at Fudan University hosted an academic lecture in celebration of its 40th anniversary. Khong Yuen Foong, Professor of Political Science at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, National University of Singapore, delivered a lecture titled “Southeast Asia between the Superpowers: Who is Where and Why.” The event was chaired by Prof. Wu Xinbo, Director of the Center for American Studies and Dean of the Institute of International Studies at Fudan University. More than 60 students and faculty members from both within and outside the university attended the lecture.

In his talk, Prof. Khong provided a rigorous academic analysis of how Southeast Asian countries are navigating the intensifying strategic rivalry between the United States and China. He examined the nature of this great power competition and its implications for the region, emphasizing that Southeast Asia’s perceived tilt toward China cannot be explained by a single factor. Instead, it is shaped by a combination of domestic political dynamics, economic opportunities, perceptions of the sustainability of U.S. regional engagement, and geographic proximity—with domestic politics often playing the most decisive role in shaping national choices.

Prof. Khong also noted that the ten ASEAN member states differ significantly in their national interests, and as a result, ASEAN has not adopted a unified position toward either of the two major powers. These internal divergences have previously challenged ASEAN’s cohesion and are likely to continue doing so in the future.