(VOVWORLD) - Vietnam exerts more influence in the region than expected with the greatest gains in diplomatic influence, future resources, and economic relationships, said the Sydney-based Lowy Institute on Monday.
The 2024 Asia Power Index, the sixth edition of the annual assessment, reveals that Vietnam’s improvements were recorded in diplomatic influence, cultural influence, and future resources gaining additional 3.3, 1.9, and 1.8 points respectively.
The report shows that the United States continues to hold power in the region with 81.7 points, followed by China with 72.7 points, India with 39.1 points, Japan with 38.9 points, and Australia maintaining 31.9 points.
The relative power influence rate is based on economic relationships, military capability, defense networks, diplomatic activities, culture, economic capability, resilience, and future resources.
The annual Asia Power Index — launched by the Lowy Institute in 2018 — ranks 27 countries and territories in the Indo-Pacific region, by assessing their strengths against 131 indicators across eight thematic measures. It surveys countries as far west as Pakistan, as far north as Russia, and as far into the Pacific region as Australia, New Zealand and the United States.
The US demonstrates its strongest power in Asia through its defense networks, cultural influence, economic capabilities, military capability, resilience, and future resources.
China’s influence is seen in economic relationships and diplomatic issues. Australia continues to rise up the Asia Power Index, making it into the top five, especially in defense networks, resilience, and cultural influence.