China's Defence White Paper Sets Sights on Southeast Asia
Beijing's 2025 defence white paper outlines a regional vision that challenges the Indo-Pacific strategy and raises difficult choices for Southeast Asia.
On 12 May 2025, China released a new defence white paper: 'China's National Security in the New Era'. This paper adopts a 'holistic' approach to security, considering the latest global developments while also drawing from historical experience.
The 2025 defence white paper clearly defines Beijing's vision and objectives for the 'new era', which denotes the evolution of the Asia Pacific economic construct into a rigid, competitive and security-oriented Indo-Pacific strategy, led by the United States and its allies.
The implications of this white paper are significant for Southeast Asian states, carrying repercussions both locally and globally.
China's National Security in the New Era
Author's summary: China's defence white paper challenges the Indo-Pacific strategy.
- Release date: 12 May 2025
- Title: China's National Security in the New Era
- Key aspect: Holistic approach to security