Lowy Institute 2022: Indonesia More Exposed to Chinese Influence Than to That of the United States

The Lowy Institute assessed the influence of two major powers, China and the United States (US), on Southeast Asian countries.

The assessment used a scale of 0-100, with higher scores indicating stronger influence.

Of the 10 countries studied, Laos had the highest score for Chinese influence at 71 points, while US influence was rated at only 29 points. Cambodia also received a high score for Chinese influence (69 points), with US influence at 31 points. Myanmar scored 66 points for Chinese influence and 34 points for US influence. Brunei Darussalam and Malaysia both received scores of 63 points for Chinese influence and 37 points for US influence.

Indonesia had a score of 60 points for Chinese influence and 40 points for US influence.

US influence was dominant in only two Southeast Asian countries, and even then, not as strongly as Chinese influence. The Philippines scored 52 points for US influence and 48 points for Chinese influence. Singapore scored 51 points for US influence and 49 points for Chinese influence.

On average, Southeast Asia scored 54 points for Chinese influence and 46 points for US influence.

According to the Lowy Institute research team, China has increased its margin of influence over the United States in Southeast Asia over the past five years. In 2018, China led the US 52-48 points in influence in the region. By 2022, this advantage increased to 54-46.

This report includes scores released in 2018 and uses a new methodology to provide in-depth analysis of the relative influence of the two major powers in Southeast Asia.

The research methodology, titled the *Asia Power Index*, measures influence across four categories: economic relations, defense sector networks, diplomatic influence, and cultural influence. At least 42 indicators were used for the assessment.