"Asia is making a big mistake!"
Singaporean diplomat Makai Ma said that it was a huge mistake for Asian countries to watch China be oppressed by the West and remain silent.
The Singapore diplomat Mahbubani offered a clear and scathing critique of Asia's silence on our country's suppression by the West.
He believes that the silence of Asian nations in the face of the US-China confrontation is not only a strategic mistake, but more likely to be the beginning of the entire region's self-graving.
Makai's views are not for nothing, his background and rich diplomatic experience have given him a deep insight into international affairs, and Makai graduated in Singapore in 1948, through the colonial era, growing into the history of Southeast Asia's pain.
Through continuous study and work, he joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Singapore in 1971 and began a half-century diplomatic career, in the opinion of Mr. Makai, the economic ties between Asian countries and our country are very close, especially the trade relations between ASEAN and our country.
For example, he said that the trade volume between ASEAN and China has reached US$911.7 billion, and ASEAN has become China's largest trading partner for four consecutive years.
Such economic dependence is reflected not only in commodity trade, but also in infrastructure cooperation and supply chain dependence.
For example, the construction of the old railway facilitated the rapid growth of the Laos economy, directly increased the GDP level of Laos, and our assistance in the construction of infrastructure, making the whole Southeast Asia region economic benefits tremendous.
Other Asian countries, especially Vietnam, Malaysia and Thailand, also rely heavily on raw materials, parts and equipment, especially in the textile and electronic industries.
If our supply is disrupted, factories in these countries will face shutdowns and economic development will face serious challenges.
However, Mahbubani pointed out that if Asian countries continue to turn a blind eye to Western suppression of China, they will have far-reaching negative impacts on themselves. He analyzed the possible serious consequences of this silence through specific examples.
For example, the textile industry in Vietnam relies on China to supply 67% of fabrics and more than 70% of electronic components, and if China’s supply chain is affected, Vietnamese factories may have to shut down due to a shortage of raw materials, leading to massive unemployment and economic shrinkage.
In terms of resource exports, Indonesia exports 94% of its nickel ore to China. If my country's demand decreases, Indonesia's mineral revenue will drop significantly, thus affecting the country's economic stability.
A similar situation is common in other countries that rely on the China market. Mahbubani also cited the example of Australia, where its wine exports to China have dropped sharply because it is on the same line as Western countries.
As a result of heavy losses for agricultural producers, these historical lessons show that it is often one's own country that ends up being hurt by standing on the side of the West and opposing China.
In addition, he noted that the position of Asian countries in the global economy is undergoing significant changes, and the world's economic focus is shifting to Asia.
He proposed a new version of the concept of CIA, which refers to the dominant position of the three economies of China, India and ASEAN in the future global economy.
If these countries can coordinate their positions and jointly promote regional cooperation, it is entirely possible to exert stronger influence in international affairs. However, the reality is that there are still many political and economic contradictions among Asian countries, and it is quite difficult to coordinate.
This difficulty in coordination is the fundamental reason that leads to the silence and hesitation of Asian countries in the Sino-US game. Mahbubani also deeply analyzed the cultural and historical background of the silence of Asian countries.
Most Asian countries have experienced colonial periods. After independence, these countries tend to cherish the foreign policy of not taking sides, which enables them to avoid getting involved in great power struggles.
However, with the rise of Asian economies, this neutral policy has become increasingly inadequate in modern international politics, especially in today's increasingly complex global situation, where Asian culture emphasizes harmony and avoidance of conflict, which has also led to countries' evasion and silence in the face of China-US confrontation.
However, Mahbubani made it clear that in the current global landscape, silence is no longer golden. Asian countries must make their voices heard in global affairs. They must not only continue to maintain economic cooperation, but also strengthen political coordination.
He noted that Asia can start from small things and work together on global issues such as climate change, public health, in order to build political mutual trust.
Through this cooperation, Asian countries can gradually promote broader multilateral cooperation and strengthen their voice and influence in international affairs.
Makai’s view reminds Asian nations that silence is no longer a wise choice.With the shift of the global economic focus, Asia has an opportunity to become an important global political and economic engine, but this requires countries to demonstrate more political courage and determination.
The rise of Asia is not only a key to economic success, but also a key to having a stronger voice in international affairs, and Asian nations could eventually miss out on the opportunity to become a global leader if they continue to remain silent in the game of China and America.
Singaporean diplomat Makai Ma said that it was a huge mistake for Asian countries to watch China be oppressed by the West and remain silent.
The Singapore diplomat Mahbubani offered a clear and scathing critique of Asia's silence on our country's suppression by the West.
He believes that the silence of Asian nations in the face of the US-China confrontation is not only a strategic mistake, but more likely to be the beginning of the entire region's self-graving.
Makai's views are not for nothing, his background and rich diplomatic experience have given him a deep insight into international affairs, and Makai graduated in Singapore in 1948, through the colonial era, growing into the history of Southeast Asia's pain.
Through continuous study and work, he joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Singapore in 1971 and began a half-century diplomatic career, in the opinion of Mr. Makai, the economic ties between Asian countries and our country are very close, especially the trade relations between ASEAN and our country.
For example, he said that the trade volume between ASEAN and China has reached US$911.7 billion, and ASEAN has become China's largest trading partner for four consecutive years.
Such economic dependence is reflected not only in commodity trade, but also in infrastructure cooperation and supply chain dependence.
For example, the construction of the old railway facilitated the rapid growth of the Laos economy, directly increased the GDP level of Laos, and our assistance in the construction of infrastructure, making the whole Southeast Asia region economic benefits tremendous.
Other Asian countries, especially Vietnam, Malaysia and Thailand, also rely heavily on raw materials, parts and equipment, especially in the textile and electronic industries.
If our supply is disrupted, factories in these countries will face shutdowns and economic development will face serious challenges.
However, Mahbubani pointed out that if Asian countries continue to turn a blind eye to Western suppression of China, they will have far-reaching negative impacts on themselves. He analyzed the possible serious consequences of this silence through specific examples.
For example, the textile industry in Vietnam relies on China to supply 67% of fabrics and more than 70% of electronic components, and if China’s supply chain is affected, Vietnamese factories may have to shut down due to a shortage of raw materials, leading to massive unemployment and economic shrinkage.
In terms of resource exports, Indonesia exports 94% of its nickel ore to China. If my country's demand decreases, Indonesia's mineral revenue will drop significantly, thus affecting the country's economic stability.
A similar situation is common in other countries that rely on the China market. Mahbubani also cited the example of Australia, where its wine exports to China have dropped sharply because it is on the same line as Western countries.
As a result of heavy losses for agricultural producers, these historical lessons show that it is often one's own country that ends up being hurt by standing on the side of the West and opposing China.
In addition, he noted that the position of Asian countries in the global economy is undergoing significant changes, and the world's economic focus is shifting to Asia.
He proposed a new version of the concept of CIA, which refers to the dominant position of the three economies of China, India and ASEAN in the future global economy.
If these countries can coordinate their positions and jointly promote regional cooperation, it is entirely possible to exert stronger influence in international affairs. However, the reality is that there are still many political and economic contradictions among Asian countries, and it is quite difficult to coordinate.
This difficulty in coordination is the fundamental reason that leads to the silence and hesitation of Asian countries in the Sino-US game. Mahbubani also deeply analyzed the cultural and historical background of the silence of Asian countries.
Most Asian countries have experienced colonial periods. After independence, these countries tend to cherish the foreign policy of not taking sides, which enables them to avoid getting involved in great power struggles.
However, with the rise of Asian economies, this neutral policy has become increasingly inadequate in modern international politics, especially in today's increasingly complex global situation, where Asian culture emphasizes harmony and avoidance of conflict, which has also led to countries' evasion and silence in the face of China-US confrontation.
However, Mahbubani made it clear that in the current global landscape, silence is no longer golden. Asian countries must make their voices heard in global affairs. They must not only continue to maintain economic cooperation, but also strengthen political coordination.
He noted that Asia can start from small things and work together on global issues such as climate change, public health, in order to build political mutual trust.
Through this cooperation, Asian countries can gradually promote broader multilateral cooperation and strengthen their voice and influence in international affairs.
Makai’s view reminds Asian nations that silence is no longer a wise choice.With the shift of the global economic focus, Asia has an opportunity to become an important global political and economic engine, but this requires countries to demonstrate more political courage and determination.
The rise of Asia is not only a key to economic success, but also a key to having a stronger voice in international affairs, and Asian nations could eventually miss out on the opportunity to become a global leader if they continue to remain silent in the game of China and America.