AS China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) celebrate the 35th anniversary of their dialogue relations in 2026, their partnership stands as a “paradigm” of modern statecraft. The relationship has evolved far beyond its initial diplomatic scope, now encompassing a sophisticated “matrix” of interests in export diversification, digitalisation, Artificial Intelligence (AI), green and quantum technologies, and hybrid agriculture. This progression demonstrates a clear case where geo-economics has successfully “subdued” the “genie” of geopolitics, transforming a relationship once fraught with suspicion into a cornerstone of mutual prosperity, connectivity, and financial integration. The partnership’s genesis, born from thawing of Cold War ideological barriers, evolved through key milestones: a dialogue partnership in 1991, full dialogue status by 1996, and elevation to a comprehensive strategic partnership in 2021. This progression can be understood through the lens of constructivism in international relations, which posits that state interests and identities are not fixed but are shaped by interactions and shared norms. Through decades of engagement, both actors have co-constructed an identity of partnership, transcending initial zero-sum perceptions.

China’s early adoption of a constructive approach positioning itself as a “good neighbor, good friend, and good partner” was a master-class in strategic norm entrepreneurship. It laid the groundwork for a “community of shared future,” a framework that emphasizes common destiny over ideological conformity. This forward-looking policy laid the foundation for........

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