Asian Peace Talks with Kishore Mahbubani E1: The Biden Administration and Asia, with Amb. Tommy Koh
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- Опубліковано 23 сер 2024
- Our first guest is Ambassador Tommy Koh, eminent Singaporean Diplomat, academic and intellectual. Professor Kishore Mahbubani and Ambassador Tommy Koh speak on a range of issues, particularly related to the United States' (US) relations with China, Japan and Southeast Asia, and what the Biden Administration can do to recalibrate them.
Thank you Kishore & NUS to start this Asean Peace Pgme. It is very timely as we in Asia and perhaps the world face tumultous years ahead in this geopolitical contests. We want Peace...at any price. Large scale War or conflict with modern weapons will be unimagineable. This Pgme need to rapidly scale up & expanded across Asia & western states...humanity just want to live in peace.
Two of the best diplomats in the world with an objective point of views of the world.
I find it very interesting and delightful to listen to these two humble diplomats with vast international experience giving their insight into the world of politics and diplomacy. I was privileged to have Prof. Tommy Koh and his son in the flight deck many years ago, on their return from New York, for the approach and landing into Singapore Changi Airport. His humility truly impressed me for a man of his stature and position.
Japan learnt the foundations of what is a civilized country from China: writing, architecture, painting, music, tea ceremony, Buddhism, Confucianism, administration and governance. They learnt how to make silk, porcelain,and to make swords. Is that so difficult to acknowledge?
And in the moment China was weak, Japan immediately invaded, killed millions of Chineses and tried to annex a maximum of Chinese territory included Taiwan.
Last but not least, what would be South Asia without China? A province of India. Would you like that?
Not forgetting the centuries of piracies (which masercre villages and towns) during the Ming dynasty.
India was and always be a non expansionist power,we are happy with what we have.
It is very refreshing to hear views on geopolitics in a calm rational manner. None of the malice you get in other podcasts, especially from the West. Asia must set the format and pace for peace in Asia and the world. The message is -make friends and solve problems. Every country has its woes to solve on its own pace with no interference from outside forces.
Extremely wise people. Both Kishore and Tommy. Why can’t other western countries have diplomats as wise as these guys?
Couldn’t agree more!!!!!!
@@hungmanxxxx2462 you and family are doing well and
Cause western society feels they are superior at all and not have further thinking about that.
They do, but they are written off as "weak" or "pro-China". Their loss. Western hate and ignorance hurt westerners more than they hurt China.
Singapore has been producing intelligent politicians for years. It all started with their bad-ass first PM.
These two are so wise, humble n fair . Obviously not politicians. Always learn something from Prof Kishore.
This was definitely a brilliant interview. It was interesting, educational and an eye opener. Looking forward to more. Thank you to all those involved in the podcast, especially Kishore Mahbubani.
Tommy gave many false information here. For example regarding India - India's main services export to the West are IT and call centers. Many Indians do have good command of English, but almost no Indians speaks Chinese so how is it even possible for India to export services to China? Regarding pharmaceutical products - India has no respect of intellectual properties that's why it can produce generic products very cheaply. But China can't allow these products into its market because of IP constraints. India does gain from China a great deal in terms of technology transfer - Xiaomi, Vivo, Oppo etc have setup production lines in India. India's anaemic infrastructure and endemic corruption is why it can't progress.
Joe Biden is an intellectual lightweight, he is an establishment mouthpiece that blindly supported many draconian policies that are detrimental to US and the world. These are the words of many intellectual giants in America, like Chris Hedges and Noam Chomsky. Tommy is placing too much hope on America. I am glad that he is no longer a voice that leads Singapore.
We Singaporean would like to buy more India pharmaceutical product as it would significantly reduce our cost of medicine, but all the US and Europe drug companies will impose huge penalty on Singapore. India generic drugs just can't be exported. Service wise also not that easy, more back office is going to Philippines, Malaysia and China. As others have cost advantages over India, and also language advantages (Malaysia and China) over India.
Why Is Asia part of Biden and America’s constant watch!!!!!!!!!!!!???????????? I m so tired of America, which is 8000 KMs away from Asia.
Agree with you. We Asians should be able to solve our own problems without a watchman spearing wedge between us. US can’t even fight for itself without gathering her Anglophobes allies on her side . It’s like a group of bullies under the ring leader trying to corner a person to target on. We can forgive what happened to China and colonialism in the Asian regions but we will not forget the humiliation and contempt shown to our ancestors.
Tommy need to read China and Japan historical event through the Chinese text, or Japanese text (still Chinese character) l. Correct me if the books Tommy read are in Chinese. Chinese language deficiency I think is the weakest link of SGP foreign service now.
@@Raymond_Lee888 i know right? Sigh....
According to Tommy, Japan held grudges from being subordinated by the Chinese Emperors Monarchism, so they inflicted atrocities onto the Chinese civilians? There are a lot of loopholes on Tommy’s historic context, he forgot that many Chinese people at the time of dynasty Monarchism also were subordinated, it’s the Monarchism ruled by few.
What a poor historic context to justify Japan’s war crimes! Other Asian countries like Korea didn’t subordinate Japan, Japan also committed war crimes on them.
Besides, the founding of new China PRC is exactly founded against Monarchism, Imperialism Colonialism aggression.
Saying today’s Japan is still not trusting China simply because the sub-ordinance in the long gone history is outright terrible historic context, contrarily it’s Chinese should be very wary about Japan due to their countless atrocities in near history.
May God grant good health.
Continue to speak for the Asian World.
Great advice from wise man about goodwill:
With goodwill every difficulties is solvable.
Without goodwil every solution is problem and will not are not able to solve any problems.
BRILLIANT ANALYSIS OF WORLD PROBLEMS BY TWO DISTINGUISHED THINKERS. IT IS TIME THE WESTERN COUNTRIES PAY MORE EMPHASIS AND BE HUMBLE AND LEARN FROM NON-WESTERN ASIATIC COUNTRIES WHO ARE GOING TO BE DOMINANT IN THE 21 CENTURY.
Thanks for your work Kishore
Tommy is far more impressive, in fact, Mahbubani backs down to him. This is the first time I have heard him speak on CCP China's South China Sea adventures, Ordinarily he avoids it and concentraates on blaming hte US for not accomodating CCP. Tommy is more realistic and not afrtaied to ctiticise.
@@angusmckenzie9622 agreed , its rare to hear high level diplomat speak privately and candidly about soemthing, very informative.
@@angusmckenzie9622 Tommy is Kishore's senior and hence the deference.
@@PhiloSurfer Fair reply except that if Mahbubani's alters his "expert" opinions oout of deference, then there's little point in paying attention to him. I'd have thought deference would be shown by courtesy and politeness, not by being shown to be wrong.
Thank you for such a unbiased and realistic, practical assessment of the geopolitical situation of Asia.
Thank you both great true professional discussions.
Tony koh you said never consider the lower stream of Mekong river you are one side.what or China need to build dam to prevent flood at up reached every years ,devastated lot of people die and property .Do you not consider that all. Don't agreed your point ,and not perfect facts.China had think carefully for people livehood.For lower stream ,they had to find the other alternative livehood,don't blame China or Laos.
Too much built-in American influence from this speaker, American education gets everywhere. Why so many people think like American.
Great guys
Both Kishore and Tommy are knowledgeable on Geo politic in this region , however I will like ask them what stance should China take when US have encircle them with military bases in Korea , Japan and Philippines ?? US warships at most time sailing at South China Sea which is a important sea route for trillion of dollars of trade which also lead to the straits of Malacca to the India Ocean and the American claiming freedom of navigation ..Will Singapore feel comfortable when you have Malaysia and Indonesia navy sailing near your water all round the year ?? Whether is the interest for ASEAN countries to take side between China and US ?? In my opinion taking side will eventually lead to more conflicts between them which also more likely lead to war.. And the best way to stop the conflict is tell both the Chinese and American stop militarized the region ... I think ASEAN should persuade US to stop sending their warships here and China to stop militarized the islands rather than telling who is right and who is wrong..
Did the history tell enough? There are >800 US military bases around the world. China? -1. Does this tell you something?
@@Raymond_Lee888 Hope that Singapore stay neutral when there is a conflict between China and US .. Otherwise they might put their citizens lives in danger because Singapore within the range of DF26 if they allow US navy to use as a base ...All US bases in the region will be targeted as well...
What work yesteryear doesn't mean that it's going to work in the future. As geo-political power balance up. Respect , Restraint and refrain are the keywords to future endeavor.
Amazing interview!! So informative and interesting
Tommy's narratives on China India impasse
1. Border Conflict , India is the ignorant aggressor based on past colonial master border line survey n attempt to collude with Dalai Llama of Tibet.
2. RCEP withdrawal.. because of China.. Tommy must know that even BRICS, India has always been the very subdued n passive participation mainly being emotionally insecured, paranoia n supremacy egoism as Indians...
3. MEKONG River water issue.. Look at how India has been forming alliance with anyone that is against the Chinese..jumping to bed with Russia or US whenever convenient such as QUAD to defy its Non Alignment Policy.... imagine questioning China building infrastructures in Pakistan as well as within China sovereign territory....
As many instituted Peace, Singapore has NUS . in ASEAN how LKY is a character of peace leader in ASEAN? Asean has charter to promote peace for minority right where the countries can reinstate and restitute their own right minority
There's no minority rights or majority rights... There's only equal rights... don't expect free handouts
These two bananas are saying the US is bad, but they still love the US. This is unconditional love, I think. Ha ha ha!
Similar to you as well banana.
No, only Tommy is a banana and he loves Angmoh.
Comment on serially linked upstream dams will damage downstream ecology n riparian rights of Mekong n Bramahputra is subjective. Holistic considerations should b considered.
Tommy -some more thought on Tibet and Dalai Lama please -any solutions in medium terms
In Asia based on presidential duartente of Philippine, he can train hard fighting people on his own. So definitely I would think 🤔 Philippine should be able to operate on their own, flourish as an individual. One will learn how far words can go in the new world
Deng Xiaoping's approach was joint developments of the South China Sea and East China Sea. Of course, if the littoral states agree to joint decelopments, the US would lose out on the riches of the seas in the region. Hence, the US prefers that the littoral atates remain antagonistic.
While i agree both gentlemen have tried to be balanced on their views, i am not sure if Mr Koh's speech is accurate on a number of points re China's history with Japan. i am also not sure China should be viewed as rampantly disregarding international laws. Mr Koh should get a deeper understanding of the context and the history of some of China's position such as its border issue with India, the Diaoyu island issue and the south china sea. Other than South China Sea, those contested areas are baren land or useless rocks which the Chinese are insisting merely because they truly believe that those were part of the motherland, but were taken away when they were weak 100 to 200 years ago. Mr Koh should also read the chinese version of the story re how british planted this bomb when they drew the border between India and China. Similarly on Diaoyu, just bec it was gained control by Japan after it militarized, it does not mean Diaoyu belonged to Japan from day one. The point that China and Japan had largely lived in peace for the last 1500 years is true only to the extent that China has no interest in conquering Japan, other than a brief attempt during the Yuan dynasty. However, there were many historical records of Japanese pirates or armies plundering the coastal region of China and Korea, not to mention WW2. Yes, China may not have handled South China sea dispute well but it does not mean they dont have a point. Personally, i dont think China is keen to bully the SE Asia countries into submission but rather to insist on their historical claim. The key is really to keep the US navy away from its corridor. In terms of joint development and exploitation of the South China sea, the Chinese is definitely open to discuss.
One point I do agree with Mr Koh is that China has been very hard elbowed in its dealings with its neighbours. This brings more harm than good to its reputation and standing with the world as a rising power. Hope that all these episodes and conflicts will help China learn to better manage relationships with other countries and be a benevolent rising power
The question is that how can the world's multilateral institutions be held hostage by America's internal politics?
Can Singapore push Indonesia to historical minority genocide in Indonesia and peace program speak about advanced prevention for genocide as part unsolved domestic Indonesia and un-setteld by re-cognization of gov
jokowi.
Unfortunately, Tommy has demonstrated that he is more apologetic towards the US albeit he knew that US was the conspirator to render Diaoyu Island to Japan after World War 2. Mekong River that China is wrong narrative, before Tommy advocate the wrong of China, ask US n Australia n other Imperialist n colonizers to return n effect equitable reparation to the aborigines.. Prof. Mahbubani, your accolades given to Tommy is being too out of context n too generous just because he is a fellow Singaporean??..
Tommy Koh is a realist and without being partisan has highlighted why China is at an inflection point with its diplomatic relations most importantly with ASEAN but also world wide.
Keep Singapore (the Israel of South East Asia) in check and China will have very good relationship with ASEAN.
I thought with regard to China's attitude was essentially molded by the historical aspect in the formation of the Greater Mekong Region Commission when the French totally cut off China's participation and this was later prolonged [by Vietnam?]. This is reflected by the fact that China was not involved when the Da Wei port was created under ADB under the Greater Mekong Region. Today that project is practically rotting away, Both Japan and India were roped in to try to create the East-West Corridor from Myanmar to Danang! Really, a spur line from Bangkok to Da Wei would encourage China's goods to the African to use the port's capacity.
Though I would surely prefer the flow to come through Thailand and Malaysia so that our Malaysian ports could participate in this sector of logistics.
👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👍👍🇺🇸
Japan is again being timid in not dealing with Myanmar issue more aggressively. They have stronger say with Myanmar’s military amd economic leaders. I am now hoping that ASEAN will take s strong position in diffusing this situation. It is after all, there sphere of influence.
As career diplomats, don't these 2 people know big countries only follow international laws when it suits their interests. Good talk, nice try.
Used to view them with credibility. Not anymore.
Taiwan should denounce the military activism in the S-E ASIAN REGION!!!!
Trade pack is part of geopolitical architecture is the wrong approach n philosophy for world common good n the irony that Tommy double standard to ask China not to abuse the rights on Mekong River n now encourage US to abuse the trade pack to contain China .... lol.. being a diplomat n Tommy is the first Singaporean that I detest your geopolitical narratives..
For Tommy Koh to claim that Palestine has been occupied by Israel, he will need to prove that a country existed and was occupied.
1. Who was the head of state of that country before occupation.
2. What is their national currency exchange rate against SGD?
3. Where were its national borders?
4. What is her economic framework?
5. What form of military service?
6. Where were embassies found?
None of the above-mentioned existed.
wrong questions to ask. there were not many countries before the decolonization period other than european states. the palestinians were occupied by jewish immigrants after ww2 before the decolonization period, and the palestinians havent got the chance to build their own country ever since.
Singapore like American that is taking side and at same time Singapore want to propagate do not take side. What does it mean, Proff.
China won the Fort Detrick military games
When USA would return Guam to Philippine? 🤔
Have we forgot that Philippines was an American colony? They still are as the American do not fully grant independence to Philippines. Guam still retained as a foothold to Asia, thus it’ll never be returned to Philippines.
Sin of China is to be rich..
Your view point is rather shallow in my opinion. In simple term a poor China stifles Asean's growth and a weaken Asean will cause denigration of its rich & diverse cultures you enjoy today.
Malaysia already told Singapore (the Israel of South East Asia) that the Bullet Train System will end at Iskandar. Ha ha ha!
China has offered so many people so many opportunities. Ha ha ha!
Strategic engagement is finished. The CCP won’t accept the status quo and refuse to follow international law or norms so if it’s confrontation they want, it’s confrontation they’ll get. Let’s not forget, the CCP has stolen land from India, Bhutan, Myanmar, Laos, Vietnam, the Philippines and is attempting to steal more land from its neighbors again. The CCP is the aggressor…. that is plain and simple…. Obviously Kishore has business interests he’s trying to protect or he’s on the CCP payroll.
Sure, it must feel good to label someone and judge someone through that label.
@@jeremyleeha6298 If the actions fit the label, it is appropriate to judge them on their actions… and label them as such…
@@xidengmao429 :')
Americans supported free trade in the past because they believed that they can make money by selling American-made televisions, refrigerators and computers to you. It's 2021 now, these two shallow Singaporeans need to find new way to convince Americans that free trade is still good for them.
According to Tommy, Japan held grudges from being subordinated by the Chinese Emperors Monarchism, so they inflicted atrocities onto the Chinese civilians? There are a lot of loopholes on Tommy’s historic context, he forgot that many Chinese people at the time of dynasty Monarchism also were subordinated, it’s the Monarchism ruled by few.
What a poor historic context to justify Japan’s war crimes! Other Asian countries like Korea didn’t subordinate Japan, Japan also committed war crimes on them.
Besides, the founding of new China PRC is exactly founded against Monarchism, Imperialism Colonialism aggression.
Saying today’s Japan is still not trusting China simply because the sub-ordinance in the long gone history is outright terrible historic context, contrarily it’s Chinese should be very wary about Japan due to their countless atrocities in near history.
Hahaha , blink is no better than pompeo
A liar! He didn't tell the complete story of the scarborough shoal.
These guys are either willful ignorant, or have ulterior motive.