Chen Wenling: Multilateralism or Unilateralism, Determines the Future of the World

--A speech delivered by Chen Wenling at “US and China: Forging A Common Cause for the Development of Asia and the World”

This sub-forum discusses multilateralism and other issues and I think there are two issues worthy of consideration.

Do we need a multilateral or unilateral world? I found that there is now a large “bulldozer” in the world that is going to push out the building of multilateralism, including the international institutions, organizations, and coordination mechanisms mentioned by Minister Zhu Guangyao. The US also wants to withdraw from a number of international organizations, including UNESCO, the United Nations Human Rights Organization, the Paris Agreement, the TPP and the missile Treaty. Also, the US is preparing to withdraw from the Global Arms Treaty and the Open Skies Treaty. I do not know what else can the United States withdraw? Can one country maintain its greatness and strength by relying on unilateralism?

Secondly, can unilateralism work? I do not think so.

Unilateralism deals with problems with a single mind. However, today’s world is an ultra-diverse, complex and multi-dimensional world. In such a world, unilateralism cannot prevail, nor can it shoulder the great responsibility of promoting world peace, prosperity, and progress.

Revolutionary changes have taken place in the global economy. For the first time in the world, the fourth industrial revolution, scientific and technological revolution, and economic globalization are intertwined. In the past, the most common situation is that two aspects are intertwined or overlapped. The new global economic form, economic connection, industrial links and new ideological revolution will further trigger the scientific and technological revolution, which will promote the industrial revolution and lead to a new round of economic globalization.

Without the coordination of multilateralism and the new international order and rules, how can the world form a new co-governance in science and technology innovation? How can we keep the world economy inexhaustible? How can we form a more useful or beneficial institutional arrangement for human development and peaceful progress?

From a long-term perspective, the world still needs development and progress. The aspirations of each country in pursuit of happiness and development will not be wiped out. Recently, both the World Bank and PricewaterhouseCoopers(PWC) issued growth projections to 2050. According to PricewaterhouseCoopers, six of the ten largest economies in the world will be developing countries. The World Bank predicts that seven of the top ten economies are developing countries. Furthermore, PWC predicts that the United States could be down to third place by 2050, and the World Bank predicts that China will take over the US. Is the United States prepared for such kind of change? Does the US see the trend of world development? Will the United States always remain to be the world’s number one? Will it continue to lead the world for 100 years, or 1,000 years? Do the world and mankind need progress? Do other countries have the right to development?

I believe that the maintenance of multilateralism is important for safeguarding the world’s peace and development, and protecting the rights and interests of the common development of all countries. Joint efforts and multilateral cooperation are the only way to bring new hope to the world.

Thank you!