CLMV, ASEAN6 and China’s Belt and Road Initiative: Economically Secure, Politically Insecure

Abstract

This paper aims to explore the influence of BRI in CLMV countries and its implications for the process of ASEAN economic integration. ASEAN faces an economic development gap between ASEAN6 and the CLMV bloc that can be filled by China through various economic development schemes, including the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). BRI can be a dilemma at various levels, but it can also be a stimulant to strengthen ASEAN economic integration. The characteristics of the ASEAN region that adheres to open regionalism or hybrid regionalism can be an advantage in economic integration through AEC, where economically, ASEAN member countries can freely determine the pattern of bilateral economic cooperation with virtually any country, but politically, the ASEAN Way principle can determine the pattern of political decision making at the regional level. Without the domination of a country in the region, all member countries will speak on behalf of the region if there is a political decision concerning the region. At this point, the tendency of sub-regionalism within ASEAN can be suppressed while still obtaining economic benefits.