While the Americans have made noticeable progress in their “pivot” to Asia, the crux of successful regional engagement rests on Washington’s ability to work with and around China’s indisputable links and influence in this part of the world, while managing its own relationship with Beijing, writes  William Choong.

Over the past two months, China’s leadership has announced major policy reversals that have left global investors and other observers bullish about its economic future. But, writes, Yuen Yuen Ang correcting past errors is no substitute for the reforms that are needed to deliver robust long-term growth.

Under President Yoon Suk-yeol, South Korea is adapting to a rapidly changing geopolitical environment by seeking to elevate its international profile and improve relations with key allies. But writes Yoon Young-kwan sustaining this important strategic shift will require its deeper institutionalisation, both at home and in the US and Japan.

The challenges Malaysia faces – from reversing the slide in foreign direct investment to tackling labour shortages and protecting workers’ rights – are undoubtedly formidable. But, write M Niaz Asadullah and Andrew Kam Jia Yi, perhaps no one is better equipped to confront them than its new prime minister, Anwar Ibrahim.

The Albanese government must ensure it strikes the right balance in managing the two pillars of Australia’s strategy in the Indo-Pacific – deterrence and engagement, writes John McCarthy.

Culture matters for diplomacy, and the world would benefit by learning from the success of Indonesian President Joko Widodo’s “soft” Javanese style during the recent G20 summit in Bali, writes Kishore Mahbubani.

Paying greater attention to cooperation with individual countries in Southeast Asia will assist Australia’s efforts to build relations with ASEAN, write Nurliana Kamaruddin and Imran Lum. But most importantly, Australia will need to demonstrate an independent course in its engagement with ASEAN leaders, not reiterate its position as a ‘lesser sheriff of the West’.