China's influence was evident at the ASEAN Ministerial Meeting commemorating the 45th anniversary of ASEAN's founding. Cambodia and Laos, particularly, have transformed into pro-China nations due to China's infrastructure investment, hindering the release of ASEAN's joint statements. This poses a serious threat to ASEAN's unity. China is fostering division by engaging in individual contacts with countries like the Philippines and Vietnam to prevent a unified ASEAN voice on the South China Sea territorial disputes. China is expanding its economic influence within ASEAN through projects like the high-speed rail connecting Laos, Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore, and also pursuing a strategy to secure land transport routes to counter potential blockades of the Malacca Strait. Recent escalating tensions between the Philippines and China are further intensifying the South China Sea conflict, challenging ASEAN's central role. Interest is growing in the US response and the future strategies of ASEAN nations.