Many Arab countries used to believe so too.US is and will remain the most trusted security partners for ASEAN (minus Cambodia and Myanmar).
US too, their warships sail everywhere. Chinese navy sails much more close to home than US navy.And yet china keep encroahing eez of ASEAN countries.Who do think will ASEAN turn to ....
Are you kidding me? US has been sailing ships around the world for wars long before China had a blue water navy.Without chinese aggression,then US will not sail the ships everywhere.US is there just to check mate china move.
Many Arab countries used to believe so too.
We will seeIn the end of the day, ASEAN will choose US instead of PRC, not because they wanted to, but because it's simply the better choice.
US claims islands next to China, all those old colonial powers have lands far far away from their homelands, calling them less aggressive to other nations is the biggest joke ever.Do you see US claim any water/eez at South China Sea...Only China and Taiwan...but Taiwan is not aggressie as China