China's Long Game: A Singaporean Expert's Perspective on US-China Relations

Singaporean scholar Kishore Mahbubani's recent interview sheds light on the contrasting approaches of China and the US toward long-term strategic planning. Mahbubani emphasizes China's focus on long-term goals, exemplified by its investments in future industries, and contrasts this with the perceived short-term focus of US politics. "China is always thinking about where they want to be 5 to 10 years from now," he explains, highlighting the contrast with the US political cycle. He uses the example of China's free trade agreement with ASEAN in 2001, a move no Western country made, to illustrate this point. Mahbubani argues that the US should view China as a serious competitor rather than demonizing it, citing the significant economic interdependence between the two nations. He concludes by urging a more realistic assessment of China's economic strength and its investments in future technologies. This balanced perspective offers valuable insight into the complex dynamics between the two global powers.