60 minutes with Kevin Rudd

Sciences Po's Paris School of International Affairs is pleased to host Kevin Rudd, President of the Asia Society and former Prime Minister of Australia, for a dialogue with students.
From his extensive experience as a diplomat and head of government, and his expertise of international relations including his deep knowledge of the Asia-Pacific region, Mr Rudd will share his views on the current US-China relationship and its implications for the global order.
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[@houstonwonderstar7918]

Impressive lecture, especially the very last point.

[@paulsmallwood8779]

Extremely impressive.

[@mixxeerr]

What a great lecture and Q&A... thanks for posting.

[@adambanul7660]

Kevin is a TOP GUN!!!

[@daveb3987]

Why on earth do some people take so long to just ask their question???

[@stoneout6467]

another promtion for his 'new' book, there' s free for download too

[@chinesenurseassociation6937]

Amongst the wild forrests of countries, only the "strongest" country can survive. But the least depending upon "democracy". No matter what the "system is". Democracy is not at all the single factor in running a "good country" for its people. Every country ruller knows this.

[@stoneout6467]

its over 80 minutes not 60

[@adindahutabarat_sinolog]

0:07😂

[@martinhartecfc]

I don't mind Kevin Rudd and he is an interesting speaker but my goodness does he like the sound of his own voice (as much as any other politician, I suppose) ha ha!

[@Guardian__Angel]

Yeah, he's very vain.

[@hangtuah888]

He is what psychiatrist diagnosed as narcissism. The whole cabinet quit on his second comeback as he is a thorough imbecile.

[@CondenseFact]

What a way to highjack the narrative. So, if someone did a biography on you and studied you along the way to earn a Phd on some thesis judged by others on you, it gives them the authority earn money while without your consent, speak for you, interpret your intentions and thought process, understand your every bit of emotion and condition, judge your right course of action, criticize you without your presence or input to explain any nuance and misinformation? That’s how absurd this is.

[@watchman835]

The reality is no Chinese has the international podium speak for “you” with the same level of creditability as Kevin. Even though Kevin Rudd’s perspective is still a Westerners’, he speaks about and understand China a lot more objectively than any other important western political figures out there. Stop complaining, do you even have better alternatives? If not , then Kevin Rudd is best you have who can explain China to the West.

[@CondenseFact]

​@@watchman835 Not complaining, just making an observation. I doubt any Chinese expect a foreigner to "speak" for them. If you think with so many Chinese there isn't a single person with the same level of credibility or better that can articulate their own position correctly, you're quite naive or too arrogant. Arrogance is a weakness, not a strength. These "international podium" seek speakers to push a certain narrative, not to provide an accurate understanding. This is why it's the same speakers whenever the audience are western oriented. Non-western oriented conferences have much different speaks with more diverse views. Seeking Rudd is fine, but if seeking Rudd is the best and only we can find, then it serves the Chinese right. Not knowing full well your opponent works against you, not for you. You end up "chasing ghosts" and we all wonder why there are so many ineffective policies. These think tank end up feeding itself to line pockets and a tendency to present what one wants to hear instead of serving it's purpose. Furthermore, you just made a great example of how these "international podium" conditions us. Anyone that questions it or appear to speak differently are automatically some kind of an enemy. Views become monolithic, policies ineffective, and results... well, already quite apparent.

[@watchman835]

@@CondenseFact It is not about Chinese needing a foreigner to speaking for them. It is the main audience you want to reach are “foreigners”. The speaker needs to be trusted by his audiences. If US needs to win Chinese citizen’s trust, then Singapore Prime Minister Lee might be the best choice. It is fair.

[@daledouglas5900]

You’re kind of missing the point. Similar to how the UN requires translators to translate to their native tongue, Rudd’s purpose is not to merely speak for China, but to translate Xi thought into a western context.

[@rh5591]

His claim (made elsewhere) that Pelosi's visit harmed Taiwan's security is complete BS. If anything, it laid bare China's malign intentions and the nature and extent of Taiwan's predicament for all to see. As for this lecture, there is nothing here that serious China watchers haven't heard before, but I did learn that Mr. Rudd loves two things: the sound of his own voice and showing off his Mandarin language skills.

[@KGBot]

He still doesn’t understand that it’s better for him not to be able to speak chinese apart from a few greetings, or at least pretend that.

[@donnydrumpf9563]

What is/are China's malign intention(s)? To take back what it owns is malign?? What drugs are you taking, old kidd??

[@donnydrumpf9563]

​@@KGBot Kevin Rudd is a Mandarin speaker. Can you speak any Chinese, old kidd??

[@KGBot]

@@donnydrumpf9563 I am half beijing mandarin half teochew cantonese, speak mandarin cantonese and teochew, mate

[@KGBot]

@@donnydrumpf9563 he speaks good mandarin for a foreigner but lack the knowledge of chinese mentality

[@Guardian__Angel]

The guy is full of himself. He tries to paint himself as the ultimate authority on China, but he's not.

[@bluemiata8717]

What could anyone who gives a speech do to be “ not full of himself”?

[@haleydonovan3421]

He has earned his authority to speak on China in the international order. Not only does he have a Phd in the topic he is discussing here (making him an expert by professional standards) but he also served as Australian PM giving him practical expertise on the subject.

[@twood2032]

As a Chinese Australian myself, I think Kevin Rudd knows a lot about China, but when comes to the CPC or Beijing, I found his view of China is still very western. Overall, he is somewhat on point about 60% correct, way better than most of the so call China experts out there. The area where I think he is wrong about China is that he put western standard on a scale and put China up against it, any deviation on the scale whether for the good or the bad he will judge China for it. What people don't seem to understand is that China don't care about the western way of doing thing, they are on a path of searching for a new path, if we don't know what China's end game is, then how can we say it's good or bad? All we have to do is wait and see.

[@Guardian__Angel]

@@bluemiata8717 How about his constant flaunting of his Mandarin speaking skills to Western audiences? Isn't it annoying?

[@Guardian__Angel]

@@haleydonovan3421 His tenure as Prime Minister and/or Foreign Minister ended 10 years ago. A lot has changed in the meantime, so his practical experience with and understanding of Chinese politics are not 100% relevant anymore. He needs to be a little more humble, and definitely not throw in words in Mandarin all the time. What if not annoying vanity is that?

[@donnydrumpf9563]

Just small comment, how can you compare a small island like Taiwan or relatively small countries like Korea or even Japan with China with 1.4 B people!! And India?? Are you joking, Kevin??