China-Southeast Asian relations : purpose versus disunity?

China’s relationship with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is driven by a strategic logic. It responds to the challenges of securing raw materials crucial to China’s economic development, of cementing growing political-economic ties with Southeast Asian nations, of alleviating their fear of a rising China, and of ensuring a peaceful and stable surrounding environment to buttress China’s increasing international influence. China meets the first two challenges through the China-ASEAN Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA) and the latter two challenges through its participation in the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF).