Mar 22 2021
Prof. Dr. Tang Zhimin, Director of CASPIM was invited to join a seminar organized by
International Studies Center, a research institute attached to the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs, as a link for foreign affairs community both in Thailand and abroad. He was very
much impressed by the high quality speech and open discussion followed.
A veteran diplomat started the discussion by pointing out the resemblance of the
demised Soviet Union to contemporary China, in its open confrontation and military
competition with USA. The misfortune of Jack Ma in China also demonstrates that no
body is safe under an undemocratic regime. Stick to USA and democracy, suggests the
former Ambassador to USSR.
However, more attendants seem to prefer a balanced approach to engage the great
powers issue by issue based on the national interest of Thailand. One speaker casted
doubt on the sustainability of USA foreign policy in Asian Pacific, quoting the lessons
from Viet War in the last century.
From the point of Prof. Dr. Tang, China is certainly very much different from USSR in its
rather developed market economy and its involvement in trade and investment in most
countries in the world. Diplomacy and international relations are inevitably shaped by the
logic of capital and nature of new digital economy. Good governance instead of the rivalry
between democracy and despotism may be a better focus in political thoughts of the 21st
century, in which China and the rest of the world could learn a lot from each other.