However, which way the future is going to roll out for the region vis-a-vis China?
There are some differences seen in the relations forged between the three ASEAN
member countries and China at the bilateral level. The choice as observed by
experts is between engagement and hedging. In other words, countries can either
work to balance their relations or cooperation with China or end up
bandwagoning or accommodation, especially in trade and assistance to avoid the
costs of alienating China itself. The former is in no way limiting the scope of
activities among the said countries.