London will grow ties with South-east Asia carefully

Significance

In August, the United Kingdom became the first country in 25 years to be granted dialogue partner status by ASEAN. Some ASEAN countries welcome a larger role for the United Kingdom in South-east Asia, while others are concerned it will increase regional tensions linked to US-Chinese strategic competition.

Impacts

• London will not seek membership of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, as it views this as a less robust FTA.
• Burgeoning relations between London and Tokyo will grow even stronger under Japan’s new China-sceptic Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.
• China’s recent appointment of a new ambassador to the United Kingdom will not ease friction in bilateral ties over issues such as Hong Kong.