China Poised to Help Southeast Asia Recover from Pandemic, Experts Say

TAIPEI - China is likely to help Southeast Asia recover from the economic shocks of COVID-19 because of its outsized growth and pivotal role in cross-border development, experts said following a regional summit.

China, which had a $15.4 trillion economy last year, is expected to sell more vaccines, restart infrastructure projects and open manufacturing supply chains for the region, according to economists. The moves are liable to bolster China’s drive to enhance its economic and diplomatic influence across the region through efforts such as its Belt and Road Initiative and so-called “vaccine diplomacy,” making COVID vaccines available to developing countries.