Ever felt like history is coming full circle? That's exactly how renowned Singaporean scholar Kishore Mahbubani views China's rise on the global stage. In a lively debate with American scholar Orville Schell at the Asia Society in New York, Mahbubani didn't hold back! 🎤
He passionately argued that China's resurgence is a \"natural return\" of a civilization that has seen its ups and downs throughout history. \"When China tries to claim a place in the world as one of the great powers, it's a perfectly natural development,\" he emphasized.
Mahbubani, who has served as Singapore's permanent representative to the United Nations and is a distinguished fellow at the Asia Research Institute of the National University of Singapore, critiqued the U.S. for \"condescendingly\" judging other countries. He pointed out that while the West makes up about 12% of the world's population, a whopping 88% lives outside of it! 🌍
\"From the perspective of Asian, African, and Latin American observers, China is trying to come back once again as a strong civilization,\" he said. He suggested that the views of the Western minority don't necessarily reflect those of the global majority.
Mahbubani also highlighted the challenges countries in the Global South face due to the tense U.S.-China relations. Many of these nations are eager to maintain normal trade relations with China but find themselves caught in the crossfire of great power rivalry.
As the debate wrapped up, Mahbubani called for a reality check: \"China has risen, and we need to have good relations with both China and the United States.\" He expressed hope that both powers could handle their differences responsibly, avoiding global instability and focusing on the critical issues facing humanity's future.
Food for thought, isn't it? 🍽️ Whether you're tuning into global politics or just curious about the shifting sands of international relations, Mahbubani's insights offer a fresh perspective on the world's evolving dynamics.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
