Because strategic, economic, and ideological perceptions of China contain multiple, sometimes contradictory facets in Southeast Asia, receptions of and responses to Beijing diverge across and within state lines.

Most Southeast Asian states behave as if the actions of their Northeast Asian neighbors and the Philippines will be sufficient to maintain a regional status quo from which they can benefit.

Three scholars share their insights on the role China is playing in the South China Sea, and the wider implications of the ongoing disputes and their trajectories for Southeast Asia and beyond.

Patriotic and nationalist sentiments have been co-opted by self-media and social media platforms to generate profit. This has given rise to a traffic-driven business of cyber nationalism that relies on extreme xenophobic rhetoric.

As consumers and businesses continue to hold off on spending and investment, deflationary pressures deepen, further depressing prices and economic activity.

It will require many years of real determination by Beijing to drive the role of consumption to much higher levels if China is to rebalance in a nondisruptive way.