Part 7/10:

The trend is clear: Southeast Asian nations, including historically friendly ones like South Korea, Vietnam, and Cambodia, are now taking steps to distance themselves from Beijing. Countries are beginning to reject the idea of economic dependency on China, opting instead to engage with the U.S. and its markets.

Similarly, the situation expands beyond China-Asia relations and into the delicate dynamics of Russia and Ukraine. Despite the ongoing conflict, both sides—Zelensky and Putin—are increasingly critical of Xi’s circus of influence. Reports from Ukrainian officials indicate awareness of China's covert support for Russia, unraveling any illusion of neutrality in Beijing’s foreign policy.