Evolution of the spatial structure and its geostrategy connotations of the US aid to ASEAN countries since the 21st century

The strategic application of foreign aid is a prominent feature of the US aid policy, and it is important to study the evolution of the US foreign aid to grasp its geostrategic direction. In the Western Pacific region, ASEAN countries have significant military and economic strategic value due to their unique geographical location. As a result, they have long been the focus of the US aid. Based on this, using the foreign aid data of the US Agency for International Development (USAID), and with the help of GIS and other technical methods, this paper portrays the evolving characteristics of the spatial structure of the US aid to ASEAN countries since the beginning of the 21st century and explores its geostrategic connotations. The main conclusions are as follows: (1) From 2001 to 2019, the overall aid scale of the US aid to ASEAN countries showed a phased growth trend, which was basically positively related to the positioning of ASEAN countries in the US geostrategy. (2) In terms of the spatial distribution of aid scales, the US aid to ASEAN countries shows multipolar characteristics, with its treaty allies, South China Sea dispute countries and China-friendly countries as key recipients. However, the types of aid funding vary across recipient countries, with treaty allies and South China Sea dispute countries receiving both economic aid funding and military aid funding as priorities, while China-friendly countries are mainly economic aid funding. (3) In terms of the type structure of aid programs, the US aid to ASEAN countries shows significant structural heterogeneity, with military security programs focusing on treaty allies and South China Sea dispute countries, economic and scientific programs gradually spreading to South China Sea dispute countries and China-friendly countries, humanitarian programs depending on the specific considerations of the real situation, and ideological programs gradually concentrating on China-friendly countries. (4) The US has adopted a differentiated aid strategy toward ASEAN countries, and its main geostrategic objectives include: consolidating relations with treaty-allied countries and escalating cooperation to firmly secure geostrategic implementation; drawing in relations with South China Sea dispute countries to strengthen their geostrategic pivot role; and upgrading relations with China-friendly countries and enhancing contacts to spread US democratic values. The results of the study will help further understand and grasp US geostrategic decisions, and contribute to China's peaceful development path.