Southeast Asia wary of China's Belt and Road project, sceptical of U.S. - survey

U.S. Vice President Mike Pence poses for a group photo with ASEAN leaders at the ASEAN-US Summit in Singapore November 15, 2018. REUTERS/Edgar Su

SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Southeast Asian countries should be cautious in negotiating with China on its flagship Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) to avoid being trapped in unsustainable debt, 70 percent of respondents said in a policy survey released on Monday.

Southeast Asia is increasingly sceptical of U.S. commitment to the region as a strategic partner and a source of security, while China's reach is seen as growing both politically and economically, the study also showed.