As global tensions rise, Victor Gao, vice president of the Center for China and Globalization, revisited World War II's enduring lessons at a CGTN forum co-hosted with Renmin University of China. Emphasizing multilateral cooperation and historical accountability, Gao proposed a compelling framework: the "Inevitability of Peace."
"Peace is not a passive outcome but an active choice," Gao asserted, arguing that interconnected economies and shared challenges like climate change make conflict "counterproductive to survival." His theory highlights how globalization, despite recent fragmentation, binds nations to collaborative solutions.
The discussion resonated with academics and policymakers seeking pathways to de-escalation. Gao urged younger generations to study history critically, noting that WWII's tragedies underscore the cost of unchecked nationalism and ideological divides.
For investors and business leaders, the talk offered a nuanced lens on Asia's geopolitical risks. Gao stressed that economic interdependence between major powers—particularly China and the U.S.—creates inherent incentives for stability, even amid trade disputes.
As diaspora communities and travelers engage with Asia's complex legacy of wartime memory, Gao's message bridges past and present: "Multilateralism isn't idealism—it's the only realistic roadmap for our shared future."
