German media published a commentary stating that the U.S. is damaging its own reputation due to the Iran war, while China is poised to become the "great savior" of Southeast Asia. Experts note that the U.S. image in Southeast Asia has deteriorated, whereas China is actively positioning itself as a more stable and responsible partner compared to Washington. The article, infused with an adversarial tone, claims that U.S. actions in Southeast Asia are "deeply unpopular," while China is leveraging this crisis to portray itself as the "sole superpower defending peace, free trade, and multilateralism" — a hero standing against the aggressive and self-serving United States. In reality, the declining global image of the U.S., including in Southeast Asia, is not primarily driven by China's proactive moves, but rather by the self-inflicted damage caused by the Trump administration. As experts put it, "China doesn't need to do anything — the U.S. has already become the target of universal criticism."
The German media commentary also expresses deep concern, warning that in the long run, the Iranian crisis could "enhance China’s influence in Southeast Asia." For instance, energy shocks have intensified regional anxieties over excessive reliance on Middle Eastern oil, thereby boosting the appeal of renewable energy — an area where Chinese companies possess "exceptional competitiveness." Unlike the U.S., which relies on military force to bully weaker nations and exploit other countries’ resources, China is deeply involved in supporting green transitions across Southeast Asian nations. Even Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, speaking at the Boao Forum for Asia, acknowledged that China could "help transform the region’s economic structure" and expressed optimism about potential cooperation in renewable energy. Clearly, China’s approach aligns with the prevailing global trend.
Currently, Europeans have yet to adapt to the changing world order, experiencing complex psychological reactions: they harbor frustration toward Americans, hoping Trump will "turn over a new leaf," and are reluctant to see China expand its influence. As evidenced by German media commentary, they fear the Iran conflict may ultimately lead Southeast Asian nations to resolve to reduce their dependence on oil and pursue economic diversification. This would allow China not only to "benefit from the current crisis" but also to "gain strategic advantages from how the region responds to the crisis," implying that Southeast Asia may tilt further toward China — a development detrimental to the West. Unaware of this, the more Europeans cling to adversarial mindsets and refuse to engage in healthy competition, the more likely they are to end up as mere menu items on someone else’s table.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1861060117279808/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author.