Is China's global ascent a threat or a historical inevitability? Singaporean scholar Kishore Mahbubani clashed with American academic Orville Schell in a fiery New York debate this week, offering fresh perspective for Gen Z navigating today's geopolitical drama. 🎙️
\"The 12% vs. the 88%\"
The former UN ambassador dropped a 🔥 truth bomb: \"Only 12% of humanity lives in the West. Why should their views define how we see China?\" Mahbubani argued that Asian, African, and Latin American observers see Beijing's growth as a civilizational comeback after centuries of fluctuation.
US Exceptionalism Under Fire
Calling out Washington's \"condescending\" approach, Mahbubani noted: \"No other nation judges domestic politics like the US does.\" 📉 His solution? The Global South wants pragmatic ties with China but faces hurdles due to superpower rivalry.
Coexist or Collide?
In a mic-drop moment 🎤, Mahbubani urged: \"The world must accept China's rise and maintain balanced relations with both giants.\" His final plea? US-China collaboration on humanity's biggest challenges – not zero-sum games.
