Mar 08, 2025

Recently, there has been a focus on China’s soft power trajectory in Southeast Asia, especially considering the perceived gap left by the U.S. assistance freeze and policy uncertainty. A new book titled “Rising China’s Soft Power in Southeast Asia,” edited by Leo Suryadinata, delves into China’s efforts in projecting influence in the region beyond the traditional methods of Confucius Institutes and overseas Chinese populations. The book covers various instruments through which China extends its soft power in Southeast Asia, offering insights on the evolution of China’s influence across individual countries in the region.

Through original surveys and interviews, the book provides a detailed analysis of China’s soft power initiatives in Southeast Asia, exploring the diverse realities and variations in culture, politics, and economics. It also highlights interesting dynamics such as the division between pro-Taiwan and pro-China schools in Yunnanese Chinese communities in Thailand, as well as the strategic labeling of Confucius Institutes in Indonesia. The book forecasts the future outlook for China’s soft power presence in Southeast Asia, emphasizing the importance of monitoring developments in this area for stakeholders.

In other news, Sycamore Partners is reportedly planning to acquire Walgreens Boots Alliance for up to $23.7 billion, with a significant cash component of $10 billion. Walgreens, a major retailer and pharmacy chain in the U.S., has been facing challenges in a competitive market. Shield AI, a military drone technology developer, raised $240 million in Series F-1 funding, while InsuranceDekho, an Indian insurance startup, secured $70 million in funding. Spiritus, a direct air capture startup, raised $30 million in Series A funding, and Business & Pleasure, a luxury outdoor products brand, raised $16 million in funding.

There were also various fundraising and acquisition deals in the market, spanning renewable energy startups to specialty ingredients providers. President Trump’s announcement of a Bitcoin Strategic Reserve initially caused a drop in Bitcoin prices, but they later rebounded. The White House is set to hold a Crypto Summit to discuss the future of cryptocurrencies. Additionally, the Money Stuff podcast covered topics such as accidental payments, genetic testing, ETFs, and financial advisory performance coaching.

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