China and the World in the 21st Century - A Public Lecture

Dr. Martin Jacques, the speaker


Dr. Chandra Muzzaffar, President of MoJW, moderated the Event

Venue of the Public Lecture - Institut Diplomasi dan Hubungan Luar Negara

1. Introduction:  The Lecture was delivered by Dr. Martin Jacques, an authority on China and author of the book 'When China Rules the World: The End of Western World and the Birth of a New Global Order', on Saturday November 5, 2016 at the Institute of Diplomacy and Foreign Affairs (IDFA), Kuala Lumpur. It was jointly organised by IDFA and Movement of the Just World (MoJW).  The lecture was moderated by Dr. Chandra Muzzaffar, President of MoJW.  Dato' Salman Ahmad, the Director-General of IDFA, in his welcoming remarks, indicated that the idea of organizing the event was that of Dr. Chandra Muzzaffar and IDFA considered it relevant in the context of the rise of China in the global scene.  The lecture was participated by an estimated 400 comprising of the diplomatic community, students and academic staff of universities and members of the public.

2.  The Content of the Lecture.  According to Dr. Jacques, China in the 1980 was poor with the size of its economy just 5% of that of the United States. The rise of China's economy and the beginning of a new era started in the early 1980s with the modernizing policies enunciated by Deng Xiao Peng with the focus on liberalizing the economy, the development of agriculture, science and technology, national defense, to spur economic growth and eradicate poverty among its people .  This shift in policies brought about tremendous growth in its economy and by 2015 its GDP exceeded that of the US.  This economic success led China to embark on doing things its own way - from passive bystander to proactive mover- in its role as 'shaper' of the global economy. One of the key actions it took to perpetuate economic growth was to establish the Asian Infrastructure Development Bank, which subsequently attracted a membership of 57 countries, to finance the construction of infrastructures such as roads, railways and pipelines, not only linking the coastal part from Tianjin, Shanghai, Hangzhou, Wenzhou, Fuzhou, Guangzhou and Zhangjian and the interior of the country but also connecting land-based destinations and seafaring routes from Asia to Europe, covering the largest land mass and providing facilities to 65% of the world's population.  China's ability to undertake these mammoth projects together with developing countries is due to its leaders' understanding of the problems of these countries unlike the US and UK where projects are built to meet their own objectives and interests. 

  China is projected to continue its economic growth and by 2030 its GDP is forecasted to be 33% of that of the globe and home to 20% of the world population. With a concommitant decline of the West, China will the dominant power in the 21st century, serving as the center of global economy with Shanghai as its capital. Its economic supremacy and dominance will have implications culturally, militarily, politically and diplomatically. 

  On the South China Sea, Dr. Jacques advocated the need to have agreement among the claimants in the territorial disputes.

  China's rise as a global economic power, Dr. Jacques went on to add, is not without facing numerous challenges as countries where it has its presence, are suspicious of its intention.  Its officials, dealing with these countries, have to understand the culture and have to build the language skill of the respective host country.  Also, building infrastructure and having projects incur high costs and with the extensive nations involved, China may be overreaching itself with resources at its disposal.  There is also concern that China , being a big country with high population, may encounter problems as factions in the country may cause disorder and disturbances.

  In his concluding remarks, Dr. Jacques, whilst praising Malaysia for its ability in handling the territorial dispute with respect to the South China Sea, advised that Malaysia, being its not too distant neighbor, has to orientate itself to understand the Chinese and grapple with issues related to China. The world has to be aware of the economic, cultural, political and militaristic significance of its global power.  However, Dr. Jacques, expressed words of optimism about the Chinese superpower for its rise is a peaceful one, unlike, the West where their dominance was built on brutal conflicts.      

   Finally, Dr. Jacques emphasized that 'it is important for countries to be clear about their priorities.  If anything is ever historically clear, it is the rise of China and the decline of the United States especially in the region. If these countries think this relationship with China is the most important one they have, then they must think proactively, strategically and creatively about what areas of cooperation they want to have with China'.       

Part of the audience

Dato' Ghazally Yusof was sitting next to me in the front row of the Hall

Posted on 27/12/2016