ASEAN’s Balancing Strategy between the Belt and Road Initiative and the Indo-Pacific Strategy: Background and Prospects for the Development of the Situation

This article aims to systematically analyze the balancing strategies employed by ASEAN countries between the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and the Indo-Pacific Strategy. As a key region connecting the Pacific and Indian Oceans, Southeast Asia has historically been an area of major power rivalry and influence. With China’s advancement of the BRI (especially the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road) and the US’s promotion of the Indo-Pacific Strategy, ASEAN countries have once again found themselves at the forefront of geopolitical and geoeconomic competition. Faced with this complex situation, they have demonstrated diplomatic wisdom and strategic flexibility, not only avoiding the pressure of choosing sides between China and the US but also maintaining strategic autonomy through multi-vector hedging to maximize their own interests. By examining the motives, strategies, challenges, and future development trends, this article can serve as an important source for understanding the behavior of small and medium-sized countries in contemporary international relations.