This briefing paper discusses the need to rebuild disrupted global supply chains, restore strained institutions of global governance, and uphold a rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific in the post-COVID-19 order.

This report draws out the risks — and likely consequences — for a system already in a state of flux, as the transition to a post-American world accelerates and the coronavirus wreaks havoc on the world economy and international trade.

There is growing agreement between Australia, India, Japan and the United States that as China rises in Asia, the rules-based order needs strengthening and defending; but does the revived Security Quadrilateral Dialogue have any real prospect of rebalancing relationships in the region? Lavina Lee explains.

Southeast Asian governments – which are badly affected by the pandemic – have been the leading recipients of Chinese aid. It comes at a time when ASEAN is attempting to reappraise its position with respect to the US and China, given accelerating competition between the two powers.

The COVID-19 pandemic has ignited new debate on China’s flagship foreign policy, the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Against the official position of the Australian federal government, the state of Victoria has recently signed on.