ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on how ASEAN and China interact economically as a consequence of the BRI. Furthermore, it considers the role that China working through BRI could play in shaping the ASEAN economies in a global context. It also analyzes statistically whether or not BRI generates win-win outcomes between China and ASEAN in terms of trade, investment, and economic growth. Finally, it forecasts the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on BRI prospects in ASEAN. It found that the major BRI infrastructure projects in ASEAN have boosted trade volumes and Chinese FDI in the region. However, the result benefits more China than ASEAN members. Specifically, while China has rapidly increased its trade surplus with ASEAN, the opposite has not happened. As a result, ASEAN has become more trade-dependent on China and less on other ASEAN trade partners. This suggests that BRI connectivity benefits China more than ASEAN.
