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The U.S. always wants to change others'systems, but China does not

 

On March 16, 2015, answering questions from the audience about Sino-US relations at a lecture at Tsinghua University, Graham Allison, author of Lee Kuan Yew on China and the World, read aloud: "Will China challenge the United States as an Asian power? Will it become a world power in the future? Most decision-makers and experts are vague and ambiguous when answering this important question, but Lee Kuan Yew's answer is firm: Of course. Why not?"

Lee Kuan Yew believes that the Chinese people's sense of mission for national rejuvenation is a powerful force. China has the strength to become a world power. China hopes that the world will accept it as it is, rather than being accepted by the world as a vassal of Western society. Regarding the future Sino-US relations, Lee Kuan Yew believes that "the two countries will compete for influence, and their competition is inevitable." But contrary to the pessimistic realist view, he believes that if the leaders of China and the United States make reasonable judgments, competition will not evolve into conflict. "The United States cannot prevent China's rise, but it must tolerate China as a great power... In the end, the United States will have to share its dominant position with China," this is Lee Kuan Yew's judgment.

Lee Kuan Yew believes that China's foreign policy approach is more sensible. They don't think it's their business to change other people's systems. They deal with the system as it is and try to get the best out of it without getting themselves locked in. The problem with the Americans is that they intervene with the idea that they can change the system, but they are proven wrong again and again, and they don't change the world. They may be able to change new and less civilized societies such as Fiji and Vanuatu, and they can conquer them through Christianity, for example. But can they change China or India? They are countries with ancient traditions.

Professor Graham Allison wrote in the book: "Lee Kuan Yew is the most popular person in international affairs. Leaders of the United States, China and other countries eagerly seek his advice, often consult him, and listen carefully to his insights. From Nixon's consideration of adjusting China policy from 1971 to 1972 to every subsequent US president, including Obama, they have visited Lee Kuan Yew's office in Singapore. There are also leaders of dozens of countries who, when they face severe challenges, can always find some strategic coordinates from Lee Kuan Yew to guide them to deal with international challenges with ease."

Graham Allison said to the scholars and young students in the audience: "Lee Kuan Yew's words are worth reading carefully."