Experts explore Asia's rise at book seminar

The Centre for China and Globalization (CCG) hosted a seminar in Beijing on Nov 3 to discuss Living the Asian Century: An Undiplomatic Memoir, the latest book by Kishore Mahbubani, a distinguished fellow at the Asia Research Institute (ARI), National University of Singapore (NUS). The event brought together senior diplomats, heads of international organizations, leading academics, and industry leaders from around the world to explore Asia's ascent and its global implications.

In his keynote address, Kishore Mahbubani noted that the book is not only a personal memoir, but also a profound reflection on Asia's rise and the revival of its civilizations. He attributed Asia's success to its ability to learn from the West about the "seven pillars of Western wisdom", including modern science, the rule of law, and the market economy, while renewing confidence in its own civilizations. This dual approach, he noted, has driven the rise of China, India, and ASEAN. He predicted that by 2050, Asia's combined economic scale would surpass that of the West.

Wang Huiyao, president of the CCG, praised the book's systematic interpretation of Asia's rise. He emphasized that Asia's rise is rooted not only in cultural traditions, but also in its proactive embrace of globalization. He pointed to China's reform and opening-up and its accession to the WTO as catalysts, whose ripple effects have propelled the region's overall economic growth.

During the Q&A session, Kishore Mahbubani and Wang agreed that, despite challenges to the global norms, the multilateral system remains functional. They highlighted that China's Global Governance Initiative and the Belt and Road investments play constructive roles in sustaining international stability and mitigating trade tensions.