Brookings Institution undertaking study on the Global Impact of China as an entry on the international scene

To launch the project a meeting was held at the Brookings, Wasington, DC on December 2, 2019.  Bruce Jones Vice President of Brookings gave welcoming remarks to the participants, and  Assistant Secretary of State David Stilwell was featured speaker, his talk emphasizing the importance of multipluralism in recognizing diversity among nations as he saw it a means for tolerance and cooperation, particularly during this period of China's entry on the world stage.  Nevertheless, the study to be undertaken by Brookings, a major "think-tank" in the world, should produce helpful recommendations for both China and the US that will lead to greater appreciation of China as a world leader and at the same time lessen tension and conflict between the two (as both seek to influence and promote their trade in the East).  This particular session was to concentrate on particulars in the East Asian region.

A panel was assembled to round out the day's conversation and comments about the project as pertaining to East Asia: Richard Bush, Lindsey Ford, and Jonathan Stromseth all from Brookings, joined with Lynn Kuok of the University of Cambridge and Evans Revere with the Albright Stonebridge Group. 

But it was Lynn Kuok who seemed well aware of the problems being encountered as China and the US provide trade networks throughout the area.  Trade and business with both these two great powers will help the region's nations to develop and grow to become full partners in international trade.  However, the tendency has become in the West, ever since the Cold War with Russia, to regard "the other nation" as competitor and even as adversary to the US.  No doubt, the Communist adherents in China so regard US presence in East Asia an intrusion upon China's sphere of influence.  And, no doubt, the US' backing off from the TPP has only netted indication that America doesn't really care about lending aid and giving assistance to countries in that region, despite US efforts that show the contrary is true, as pointed out by Jon Stromseth in discussion.

I indeed hope the august group Brookings has assembled will promote healthy dialogue and useful recommendations regarding the need for strong ties as full trading partners all the nations in East Asia--Indonesia, Malaysia, etc.--with the US and with China.