THE popular phrase “when America sneezes, the world catches a cold” has been widely used to explain the spillover effects of the world’s largest economy’s actions on economics, financial markets, politics, culture and policies of the rest of the world.

DURING the last couple of decades, the number of travellers visiting South-East Asia has increased by 10% every year on average.

SINCE Asean countries joined the Belt & Road Initiative (BRI), which was introduced in 2013, there have been many commitments to enhance cooperation and economic activities between Asean and China.

CHINA’S Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is considered one of the largest global infrastructure development strategies in our lifetime, with nearly 70 countries and international organisations joining forces to improve trade and economic development and promote inter-regional connectivity.