ASEAN centrality is a concept of regional security and economic processes focused on ASEAN member nations as a result of the perceived threat of outward nations like China and the United States. The idea is that as Chinese and U.S. competitiveness in the area intensifies and alliances are made between ASEAN nations and the two aforementioned superpowers, ASEAN nations need to stand together in order to not lose power through assimilation. As the ASEAN nations and the geography grow in importance, the nations will adapt to the intensifying regional pressures in order to remain a strong, unified community.