>>89019366I dunno man, Indonesia and SIngapore are in close proximity to the Philippines. They're some of the most economic-rich/resource-rich countries in SEA.
Indonesia has a large phosphorus/rare earth metals industry, cocoa, coffee, palm oil, and spices. This effectively allows them (China) to gain a monopoly on some of the most common ingredients in every day goods.
I understand the USA does have rare earth metals, but lets be honest, the only reason the United States hasn't totally exploited the hell out of those deposits is the fact that rare metal mining is TOXIC AF, and China doesn't actually care about emissions runoff. Hell, they're got more radioactive discharge than Godzilla being drawn by a fujoshi.
Singapore would be in a delicate state as it has been a traditional economic safe zone, that however would change under Chinese jurisdiction. Look at Hong Kong and their current economic wellbeing, tanked faster than the North Tower on 9/11.
Sure, sure, China guarantees safety an wellbeing on account of it's collectivism and stringent law. But in general, it's not as good as Singapore.
