1、 Introduction and Problem Proposal

As a first level discipline, regional and country studies have officially landed, and Southeast Asian studies have ushered in a new wave in the construction of independent knowledge systems in regional and country studies. Southeast Asian studies are closely related to the historical background and social changes in the region, and have gone through four historical stages from the 1950s to the early 21st century, with research focus, methods, and academic goals constantly evolving. The establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Southeast Asian countries has led to research focusing on geopolitics and revolutionary movements, shifting from a politicized perspective to a realistic analysis. After the reform and opening up, Southeast Asian research resumed and was strengthened, focusing on economic reform, foreign policy, and China Southeast Asia relations. Since the beginning of the 21st century, Southeast Asian research has entered a stage of deepening and systematization, adopting a multidisciplinary perspective and emphasizing the combination of practice and theory. At present, Southeast Asian research has accumulated a certain academic foundation, but the data sorting is limited, the forefront and practicality are insufficient, and high-quality development needs to be promoted. This article aims to explore the new characteristics, research frameworks, and development directions of Southeast Asian studies in the context of the new era, in order to promote the systematization, standardization, institutionalization, and disciplinary development of Southeast Asian studies, and to become an effective pivot for the construction of regional studies.

2、 The characteristic shift of Southeast Asian studies in regional and country studies

From the perspective of regional and national studies, Southeast Asian research has undergone a shift from "nationalization" to "cross-border", with the focus expanding from single country issues to regional specific meanings and related issues. Region is understood as a wide area of space that spans the boundaries of a single nation-state, with multi-level, dynamic, and blurred economic and social relationships. Southeast Asian studies have begun to focus on regional and transnational cooperation and comparative research, breaking through the limitations of the past "disciplinary" approach and requiring crossing disciplinary boundaries. The research shifts from "historical" to "present", focusing on the diversity and complexity of Southeast Asia, as well as the geopolitical landscape and the application of new technologies. Theoretical frameworks are becoming increasingly diversified, and research methods and means are constantly being updated, such as the application of new technologies such as artificial intelligence, big data, and cloud computing. "Re centralization" is another key characteristic of Southeast Asian studies under regional and national studies, marking the increasing influence of traditional peripheral regions on central regions. Southeast Asian studies are gradually breaking free from the constraints of Western centrism and moving towards a more diverse and multi perspective research model. China's Southeast Asian research has a Chinese style cognitive bias and value judgment, but the key lies in whether it has the ability to self reflect and surpass itself. The concept of "re centralization" in regional studies promotes a deep dialogue between academic research and practical issues, and China's power and influence have gradually become important factors in shaping Southeast Asian regional research and international cooperation.

3、 The Framework Shift of Southeast Asian Studies in Regional and Country Studies

Explored the framework shift of Southeast Asian studies from the perspective of regional and country studies, emphasizing the use of interdisciplinary integration methods to deeply analyze the formation process, operational mechanisms, and development dynamics of Southeast Asia. Basic research focuses on geopolitical regions and regional countries, examining the interaction between geographical connections and national attributes, as well as the influence of countries on regional identity and participation. Functional research focuses on regional political, economic, and cultural studies, emphasizing the orderly connections between social organizations, with a focus on exploring the connectivity mechanisms within the region and their role in the overall operation of the region. Institutional research focuses on regional institutional construction and governance, studying the impact of policies, rules, and procedures within a region on individual actions and social organizations, as well as institutional change and development drivers. Southeast Asian studies need to construct a general theoretical framework based on diversity to enhance understanding of regional complexity and its evolutionary patterns.

4、 The methodological shift in Southeast Asian studies in regional and country studies

The study of Southeast Asia from the perspective of regional and country studies emphasizes the combination of multidimensional frameworks and methods to meet the needs of interdisciplinary and comprehensive research. The "Geopolitics+Discipline" analysis method combines geopolitics with interdisciplinary fields to explore international relations and global issues, involving disciplines such as political science, history, and geography. It combines internal and external factors, from the inside out, to clearly define geopolitical interests and threats, fully considering the impact of geographical factors on national development and regional governance. Functionalism and neo functionalist analysis focus on regional cooperation and integration, emphasizing the importance of regional integration and cultural exchange. Through cultural exchange and educational cooperation, understanding and respect are enhanced, and regional development is promoted. The institutional analysis method is applied to economic and sociological issues, explaining the impact of institutions on the economy and society, emphasizing the structural, historical, and socio-cultural analysis in the process of institutional evolution, and focusing on the influence of individuals on collectives. In the study of Southeast Asia, the institutional analysis method attaches importance to the main institutional arrangements in the region and their influence on regional behavior, such as the cooperation mechanism and organization of the "the Belt and Road" initiative.

5、 Conclusion

Emphasis was placed on the complexity of Southeast Asian studies, highlighting the similarities and differences among countries in the region, as well as the diversity of ethnic, religious, and cultural backgrounds. The regional and national perspective provides new opportunities for understanding Southeast Asia, as scholars seek a balance between history and reality, and between countries and regions. The article summarizes the new characteristics and methodological shifts in Southeast Asian studies, including the transition from national to cross-border, from historical to modern, and from centralization to re centralization. A Southeast Asian research framework has been proposed, which includes three core contents: basic, functional, and institutional. Multiple research methods have been adopted, such as geopolitics+disciplines, functionalism, new functionalism, institutional analysis, historical comparison method, core periphery method, and field investigation method, to comprehensively understand Southeast Asian issues and promote Southeast Asian research with Chinese characteristics.