The relationship between China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) exhibits a mixture of both cooperation and hedging. China’s growing economic power should, of course, join the institutionalized framework of Southeast Asia, but the tension caused by maritime disputes―including the South China Sea dispute―remains the concern of an individual country. China has the opportunity to shape the structure of regional cooperation through the Belt and Road Initiative and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership. is bandwagoning on China’s plan, and it agrees with the economic sector. However, the structure does not work together in areas other than the promotion of free trade and the expansion of infrastructural facilities, especially in the diplomatic and security sectors. Southeast Asian states have actively responded to this situation, but due to institutional limitations and internal problems within ASEAN, there have been certain difficulties in responding to China’s increasing power in an appropriate manner.