Hello, welcome to visit Shanghai Forum
The 21st century is a century for Asia, notonly due to its large share of the world population and economy, 60% and 30%respectively, but its role as one of the world’s most dynamic and potentialregions. Asia is not only home to world economies, such as China and Japan, thesecond and third largest, but home to emerging ones, such as India, Indonesiaand Vietnam.
Asia’s status and role in the 21st centuryare first determined by its economy, and are increasingly influenced bypolitical factors. A powerful political center will bond Asian countries closerfor cooperation against all challenges and set forth a shared vista for jointefforts. The center can be one or several countries, or regional organizations,or the combination of both.
The modern history proves that Asia lacks apowerful and right political center. Japan had two chances to be the Asianleader in the 20thcentury. One was back in the first half when it assumedpower. This then most powerful Asian country was deluded by militarism and conspiredto set up the Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere through military force.However, it just ended up in wreaking havoc to Asian peoples. The other is inthe second half when this large economy bonded itself with Asia countriesthrough trade and investment. But as a major Asia ally to America, it found itspolitical identity with the western world. And Japan denied its invasions. Allthese justify its fail to be an Asian leader. After the Cold War, Associationof Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has been seeking more influence in Asianaffairs while reinforcing itself. In 1990’s and especially in the first decadeof the 21st century, ASEAN went a long way in propelling the security and economiccooperation, which set model for regional communication. Though ASEAN is asub-regional organization mainly with medium and small countries, its visionand devotion are admirable. However, in the past several years, ASEAN’sinfluence has been waning, which is due to, on one hand, its limitedfunctions—a pony cannot pull a large cart, and on the other hand, the disturbancefrom the regional and global changes.
Such backdrop highlights China’s role inAsian affairs. The past two decades has witnessed China’s engagement in workingwith ASEAN and initiating regional cooperation. For example, with joint effortsfrom Russia and other countries, China initiated Shanghai Cooperation Organization(SCO). And it worked extensively with countries in and out of the region todeal with the issues of the Korean Peninsula, Afghanistan and Iran. Besides, Chinacalled for the countries in the Mekong region to collaborate for secured lawenforcement against nontraditional security challenges, and propelledConference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia(CICA). Asthe world second largest economy and one of the fastest growing ones, China isthe dynamo for Asian economy. In addition, China is working for RegionalComprehensive Economic Partnership and fruitful negotiation ofChina-Japan-Korea Free Trade Area. It raised the “one belt and one road” policyand the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), which embodies itsemphasis on the connection with other Asian countries and makes China’sdevelopment beneficial to its neighbor countries and Asia as a whole. What ismore, Chinese government has advocated for Asian destiny community as well asinterest and duty community, giving a full expression to China’s outlook on Asiaand China’s sense of responsibility.
China should and could play a leading rolefor Asia’s development. First, China has long advocated for a democratic Asia.Namely, Asia affairs should be at the disposal of Asian countries and peoples,since they are quite capable. Secondly, Chinese philosophy of doing things isattractive to other Asian countries. For example, China refuses to manipulate relationshipthrough military power and in collective actions, stresses communication andconsensus instead of ‘big brother’, or the mechanical majority-get-a-say.China’s willingness of plating a leading role can never be translated intodomination. This kind of guidance is different in nature from the somecountry’s sole leadership. China proposes for the collective leadership ratherthan Asian Monoecism or sphere of its own influence. The bitter modern historyidentifies China more with the less privileged and impoverished countries. Andthe profound Confucius life philosophy disciplines China with honesty andintegrity. Lastly, China is willing and capable of offering Asia public goods.A developing country as she is, China has been trying to provide public goods asshe could. China’s development has shown us every reason to believe it will dobetter and further.
Then, what is China’s vision for Asia?China really wants to see a 21st-century Asia where it gets rid of mess, povertyand looseness. Asia is in need of further and better development if it wants toget prosperous; of more efforts to solve conflicts and disputes in hope of apeaceful and stable future and of close cooperation to get economically andpolitically a reciprocal and systematic inter-connection. And Asia needs more determinationto protect its civilization and cultural diversity, so that this vast land willbe more colorful; and a harmonious environment so that all countries and nationscould live together regardless of their ethnics, colors or religions. Aprosperous, peaceful, cooperative, including and harmonious Asia is the commonpursuit for China and every Asian country.
Asia also gets more expectations for therising China. Asia would like to see a more open, including and tolerant Chinawho will pay back to Asia with a broader view and mind instead of turning tothe Europe or America and leaving it in lurch. Asia hopes China could offervarious public goods in terms of economy, security, materials and faith so thatits own achievement will make more contribution to Asia’s development andcooperation. Meanwhile, Asia is expected to handle issues with neighboringcountries more insightful and sophisticated, in a way that never frightens orworries others. And lastly, Asia wishes China’s own governance would befruitful, such as its economic transformation, environment protection and institutionalinnovation. Asia will benefit from China’s success and suffer from its failure.
A well handling of challenges is a must forChina if it wants to play a leading and effective role in Asia’s development inthe 21st century, such as to improve strategic mutual trust with the neighborsand to solve the conflicts over territorial sovereign and maritime rights. Italso requires immunity to great power’s interference and soft power admirablefor other Asian countries, including good ideas, systems and typical popularculture. China will also reshape itself in these challenges and build a ‘reciprocalAsian destiny community’.
China’s security and development hinge onAsia while Asia’s prosperity and stability depends on China. Chinese rejuvenationhas now been shaping Asia and Asia’s response also affects China. This is amutual shaping and mutual evolving course which has been accelerating. At thethreshold of the second decade of the Shanghai Forum, we would like to makefull use of this platform to observe and ponder in this course and make itadvance in a virtuous circle. This is the mission and value in the ShanghaiForum.
Thank you!
(This article is edited based on the recording and has not been reviewed by the speaker.)
