Opinion | Asia is finally cool in the eyes of those who matter – its young

The late Joseph Nye, who coined the term “soft power”, often warned that US President Donald Trump’s actions were harming America’s reputation abroad. Meanwhile, perceptions of China and other Asian countries are on the rise. Could this indicate a shift towards the fabled “Asian century”?

However, most of them have been directly affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. Some have now entered the workforce and can afford to travel abroad. Many Southeast Asians consume a diverse range of foreign content and products online and offline.

What does the world look like to them? Geopolitics is back and globalisation is no longer taken for granted. Meanwhile, regionalism might be stronger than ever, especially given Trump’s “America first” doctrine.

China is leading the way in shaping socioeconomic and political developments across Southeast Asia and beyond. Part of the reason for this is its Belt and Road Initiative, which has been instrumental in expanding its influence across different domains. This initiative encompasses physical and digital infrastructure, including roads, trains, bridges and the technological foundations for future connectivity such as 6G and beyond, which will power smart cities.

Citizens and visitors in countries such as Laos and Indonesia are already enjoying the benefits of China-built modern railways. Other Southeast Asian countries such as Thailand and Vietnam are expected to follow suit soon. In Bangkok, Chinese-built monorails are making people’s commutes easier.