SINGAPORE, April 2 (Xinhua) -- China has emerged slightly ahead of the United States as the preferred choice among Southeast Asian nations if countries were forced to choose between the two major powers, a recent survey has found.
According to a report titled "The State of Southeast Asia 2024" by the Yusof Ishak Institute on April 2, 50.5 percent of respondents preferred China if the region were forced to align itself in major country rivalry. The United States as a choice dropped from 61.1 percent in the previous year to 49.5 percent.
The data showed growing optimism among Southeast Asian countries regarding future relations with China. The proportion of respondents anticipating improvement has climbed from 38.7 percent to 51.4 percent this year.
Southeast Asia countries are also optimistic about China's vision of building a community with a shared future for mankind.
The report showed that 31.3 percent of the regional respondents say that such a vision can complement ASEAN's efforts, while another 30.1 percent view it as positive and beneficial for Southeast Asia.
Spokesperson of China's Foreign Ministry Mao Ning has reiterated that China is committed to an independent foreign policy of peace and opposes bloc confrontation and picking sides. ■
