Nury Vittachi: CHINA OFFERS THE WORLD A NEW MODEL By Dominique de Villepin Sept 8 2022
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LIKE NATURE, GEOPOLITICS ABHORS A VACUUM. When the established order is challenged, competing models will emerge. China, with its historic rise to power and prosperity, is the embodiment of an alternative to the liberal-democratic, free-market model championed by the West.
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Its rise shows the efficacy of a model characterised by strong economic development through a construction/infrastructure-oriented approach, backed by a powerful central government.
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POLARIZATION IS HARMFUL
This competition of ideologies – liberal democracies vs authoritarian governments, the West vs the rest, etc – is bound up in so many of today’s crises.
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The Ukraine conflict aptly demonstrates this. Many geopolitical experts blame the lack of global leadership (principally the increasing isolationism of the US) for prompting Russian President Vladimir Putin to try his luck in Ukraine, throwing two competing ideologies into the deadliest of contests.
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This growing conflict, this increasingly polarising competition between ideologies, goes against the idea of liberal globalisation and its ability to create true economic interdependencies, and a single, harmonious world…
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HISTORIC CHANGE
If the old international order is falling, that means we are in a historic transition. Previous centuries have witnessed similar moments, such as the opening up of the Americas and the dissolution of Europe’s old monarchies. We are witnessing the historically momentous rise of China, and its challenge to US dominance.
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History teaches us that when a descending power (the US) faces an ascending power (China), the risk of war increases. As both sides entrench their ideological positions, dialogue becomes more difficult. However, this is not merely a bilateral competition – a “strategic triangle” exists between China, the US and Europe.
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While China settles into its relatively new role as a global superpower, and the US reorders itself politically and economically, Europe is an increasingly important moderating influence.
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As China takes on more global responsibility, and potentially more of a leadership role, it must remain open to dialogue, particularly within this strategic triangle.
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If the global community is to reverse the spiral of crises and frozen conflicts turning hot, then the international rule of law must be strengthened reputationally and enforced fairly. Of course, the rule of law is not a neutral entity and is open to interpretation. This highlights the crucial need for dialogue, trust and understanding.
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CHINA MUST GET INVOLVED
To stabilise the world order, China must become a central player in forging common rules and norms with its friends and competitors around the world. This is the first step. From it, peace becomes more attainable and sustainable. From peace, global economic growth can flourish.
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Growth is essential to giving people hope and the perspective of progress in the form of jobs, good living standards, secure property and the like. Growth is essential to giving populations the means to face emerging challenges. This kind of growth on a global scale is impossible without trust and cooperation. Hence, the world’s challenges, and the most viable solutions, are becoming increasingly interconnected.
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CLIMATE AND ECONOMIC ISSUES
This represents a heavy responsibility for China. However, despite a policy of keeping various crises at arms’ length, China cannot avoid taking part in matters of global import.
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From the raging climate crisis to the overheating of the global economy, China’s chosen direction matters greatly. Where it goes, others are increasingly inclined to follow.
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China has the capacity for leadership in envisioning radical, world-changing economic ideas based on cooperation and mutual benefits. If this capacity is realised, it may prove decisive in prompting more of a global focus on tackling issues such as wealth inequality and securing sustainable economic growth.
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[Dominique de Villepin is A former prime minister of France. This is a portion of a longer essay printed in the South China Morning Post, 8 Sept 2022. Link provided in comments.]