The 2026 Chandler Good Government Index said China recorded Asia Pacific's biggest improvement in the Leadership & Foresight pillar since 2021, rising from 50th to 17th globally and improving its overall rank from 42nd to 39th, while Viet Nam posted the region's largest overall score gain, climbing from 58th to 49th with improvements in six of seven pillars. China's gains were led by Adaptability and Long-term Vision, while Viet Nam's advance was supported by a jump in Financial Stewardship from 39th to 12th and a rise in Leadership & Foresight from 61st to 25th. The index said Asia Pacific recorded the world's sharpest regional governance improvement over five years, with 79% of governments posting higher scores year on year in 2026.