Beyond tarrifs: the hidden battle reshaping global order- George Yeo's analysis 对话新加坡前外长杨荣文

Channel:

观察者网

Subscribers:

625,000

Published on June 12, 2025 8:55:22 AM ● Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zP2NnDOVuJA

Duration: 0:00

44,487 views

811

Against the backdrop of globalization facing headwinds and the deepening rivalry between China and the US, Singapore's former Foreign Minister George Yeo recently gave an exclusive interview to Guancha.cn. Drawing on his dual perspective as a seasoned statesman and scholar, he offered an in-depth analysis of the current international situation, China-US relations, and the survival strategies for smaller nations.

Yeo pointed out that the unilateral trade policies of the Trump era acted like an 'earthquake bomb,' not only disrupting global supply chains but also forcing export-oriented economies like Singapore to rethink how to maintain balance amid great power competition. He stressed that if China showed weakness, the US would inevitably exploit it. However, China 'will never accept bullying,' and the contest between the two will persist long-term. Facing this changing landscape, Singapore navigates challenges through flexible diplomacy and internal unity.

Discussing the future of a multipolar world, Yeo believes China's rise is unstoppable, yet the US still struggles to abandon its hegemonic mindset, even attempting to reshape international rules. He cautioned that Southeast Asia might become a 'beneficiary' of Sino-US rivalry, but nations must remain vigilant against uncertainties and adopt a 'small steps, quick pace' strategy to adapt to turbulent conditions.

Regarding Western misunderstandings of China, he called for discarding ideological biases, urging a historical perspective to grasp the uniqueness of Chinese civilization. Citing examples like Matteo Ricci and Xuanzang, he emphasized that cross-cultural dialogue requires 'humility and respect.

This dialogue serves as both a sober diagnosis of current crises and a valuable exploration of pathways for cooperation in a turbulent world.

面对国际格局加速演变、中美战略竞争持续深化这一前所未有的复杂局面，新加坡的决策层和战略界不得不进行深度思考：如何审慎评估并适应这种剧变？如何在中美这两个最大贸易伙伴和关键安全影响者之间维持微妙的平衡？以及中国的发展，将给世界带来什么？
值此关键时期，新加坡前外交部长、复旦大学中国研究院资深访问学者杨荣文受邀做客观察者网。在对话中，他深入剖析了这场席卷全球的贸易战及其深远影响，探讨了中美关系的现状与未来走向，展望了多极世界格局的演变趋势，并分享了对于促进中外交流合作的独到见解。