New York, USA — In a compelling debate at the Asia Society in New York, renowned Singaporean strategist Kishore Mahbubani asserted that China’s rise on the global stage is a natural return of a historical power. Engaging with American scholar Orville Schell on Thursday, Mahbubani criticized the United States for what he described as “condescendingly” judging other nations.
Mahbubani, a distinguished fellow at the Asia Research Institute of the National University of Singapore and former Singaporean ambassador to the United Nations, shared his insights on the evolving dynamics of China-U.S. relations. He emphasized that the current rivalry reflects typical behavior of a leading power, in this case the U.S., aiming to prevent being surpassed by a competitor.
Responding to Schell’s inquiries about global perceptions of China’s strategies, Mahbubani highlighted the perspective from Asia, Africa, and Latin America. “What we see is the return of a civilization that we’ve seen for centuries go up and down. So this is a natural return,” he explained. “When China tries to claim a place in the world as one of the great powers, it’s a perfectly natural development.”
Mahbubani pointed out the demographic reality that while only 12 percent of the world’s population lives in the West, a significant 88 percent resides outside of it. He argued that the Western viewpoint doesn’t necessarily reflect the sentiments of the global majority regarding China’s ascent.
Critiquing the U.S. approach to international relations, he stated, “There is only one country in the world that poses judgment on the internal political systems of other countries. It’s a very exceptional country and I think you all know American exceptionalism.”
He noted that many nations in the Global South are keen to maintain normal trade relations with China but find themselves entangled due to the tense state of U.S.-China relations. This, he suggested, places undue pressure on countries that wish to engage economically with both powers.
Concluding the debate, Mahbubani reiterated the necessity for the international community to acknowledge China’s rise and the importance of fostering positive relations with both China and the United States. He expressed hope that the two nations would manage their differences responsibly, thereby avoiding global destabilization and instead focusing on critical issues facing humanity’s future.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
