| Historically speaking, the perception of Southeast Asia to China has undergone three phases since the World War II and the recognition determines its policy output for China. Thus the postwar perception and strategy of Southeast Asia for China can be broadly divided into: From 1950s to 1960s, Southeast Asia regarded China as the main factors of instability and the major threat in the region and some Southeast Asian countries followed the example of America to implement the containment policy towards China; From the early 1970s to 1980s, the ASEAN treated China as the necessary but untrustworthy power of regional balance, so some ASEAN countries began to establish diplomatic relations with China and the bilateral exchanges increased progressively; From the 1980s, with the rise of China, there exists two perceptions of threats and opportunities together with two attitudes of worry and welcome and on this basis, two strategies of engagement and balance take shape.After the World War II, the perceptions of ASEAN to China are caused by many factors and some fundamental factors existing in the leadership of Southeast Asia would influence its perception to China permanently. Therefore, China needs to increase diplomatic resources for the neighboring countries to eliminate the negative perceptions of ASEAN to China and shape positive and kind perceptions.At present, the surrounding area is one of the main arenas for China to perform its political influences and the best way to realize political influences is to foster an image of"a responsible power". It is estimated that as long as China adheres to the foreign policy of"an amicable, stable and prosperous neighborhood"and the self-identification of"a responsible power", participates in the cooperation with the neighboring countries in positive and equal attitudes and expands the mutual common interests, it is very expected that ASEAN will build amicable perception and foster the kindly understanding to China. |
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