"The last thing that any Southeast Asian country wants is for this to spill over into an active conflict," Bill Hayton, an associate fellow with Chatham House's Asia-Pacific program, told Business Insider. This statement captures the apprehension felt among regional nations regarding heightened US military activities potentially escalating tensions with China.
"They want a Goldilocks situation in the South China Sea - not too hot, not too cold," he added. This reflects the delicate balance Southeast Asian countries seek in navigating their relationships with both the US and China amidst ongoing territorial disputes.
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