COMMENT | Russia’s war on Ukraine, which has been going on since Feb 24, may seem like a distant predicament for many in Southeast Asia. However, the war has deeper implications for us – and many analysts are warily watching China’s response to this crisis.

Like Russia, China is also an economic powerhouse with nuclear weapons. We can’t help but draw parallels between Russia’s view of Ukraine and how China has been posturing towards a West-leaning Taiwan.

It may be if China sees there are not many critical repercussions against Russia, or the impact of these repercussions is weak, it may embolden China further to claim its sovereignty over Taiwan in more physical ways – and importantly, assert its authority in the South China Sea...