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China's initially slow response to the coronavirus outbreak in Wuhan soon gave way to quick and draconian measures especially after Chinese President Xi Jinping issued a public directive on 20 January 2020 calling for "resolute efforts" to curb the coronavirus spread.2 Less than two months later, in March 2020, the long-awaited visit of President Xi to Wuhan took place, an indication that the measures introduced had borne fruit. China's narrative on the coronavirus fight evolved with the progress in curbing the disease. In the initial stages, the official line focused on containing the coronavirus spread within China and the source was deemed to have started from a specific location, i.e. the Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market in Wuhan. At a later stage, when China had brought the situation under control, and when cases outside China began to rise, Beijing started to cast doubts on the origins of the coronavirus. Southeast Asia as a whole was portrayed by Beijing to be standing with China in its internal fight against the coronavirus. When China began to extend aid to other countries to fight the global spread of the coronavirus, Southeast Asia was again featured as an important part of this effort. This paper examines the changing narratives in China's fight against the coronavirus in relation to the external audience and the role of Southeast Asia in this process.

As a small state, Singapore is particularly acute to the state of US–China relations that defines the strategic landscape. Since independence, Singapore has carefully managed its ties with the big powers—an increasingly challenging task amid rising US–China tensions and growing pressure to take a certain position. Safeguarding its national interest will continue to be the imperative and reliable approach for Singapore to grow its ties with major powers.

US-China relations appear to have attained a more practical and realistic footing following the meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Donald Trump at the Mar-a-Lago retreat in April 2017. At the meeting, they elevated their existing bilateral talks to a more comprehensive framework and agreed to unveil a 100-day economic plan. Trump further expects China to play a bigger role in reining in North Korea.

Amidst growing protectionist and anti-globalisation sentiments, China has led the call for a free, open and inclusive multilateral order. It supports a multilateral trading regime, a Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership. It has launched the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank where it wields significant veto power. China is pushing for a new regional security architecture. While shaping the international order, China is upholding its sovereign claims over the South China Sea and Taiwan.

China is under international pressure to provide more global public goods commensurate with its international status. While China has generally remained cautious in assuming too many responsibilities, there are signs that it is playing a more active role in at least two areas. First, China appears to be focused on reshaping the international economic and financial order to its advantage. In particular, it is actively pushing for the establishment of new financial institutions to, in its own words, complement existing multilateral development banks. Second, in combating piracy off the coast of Somalia, China has stepped up efforts to play up the softer aspects of its hardware contributions. These two aspects manifest a China that is ready and confident in providing the public goods that the international community welcomes. (China/GIGA)

Xi made his first overseas state visits to Russia, Tanzania, South Africa and the Republic of Congo, and attended the fifth BRICS leaders' summit shortly after becoming China's president in March 2013. The visits show Xi's confident grip on power and China's emphasis on building ties with its giant neighbour and developing countries. To some extent, this is China's response to a US rebalance in the Asia-Pacific region that appears directed at China.

Water related challenges are becoming acute. Besides adopting an integrated approachto water resource management, the actors concerned ought to step up their efforts interms of sharing experiences, expertise and technologies. Only through a committed andconcerted effort can this precious commodity be there for future generations to enjoy. (East Asian Pol/GIGA)