Asian Peace Talks with Kishore Mahbubani E4: Perceptions of China in US, with George Yeo

A major factor that prevents the US from pursuing greater cooperation with China are the deep and entrenched impressions held by the US body politic, its scholars and policymakers, on China, the Chinese government and its people. Kishore Mahbubani's interview with George Yeo, Singapore's former foreign minister and a keen student of US-China politics, unpacks these speculations and brings out the divergence between these speculations and the realities on the ground.

[@dant8891]

Kishore has been doing a lot of intellectual and meaningful contributions to the better and deep understanding of Asia and China. It's perhaps Kishore's key legacy!

[@sword7872]

Yes I'd say kishore has shaped a few leader's thinking with his advice. Singaporeans must be proud of him.

[@smiley061272]

Yes. He is brilliant. Same for George . I do not see anyone after their generation..

[@titansnorth7520]

Amazing conversation. George has added more color to the already insightful Kishore's view of the US-China contests.

[@phyybalance2601]

Thank you Kishore Mahbubani! You are truly a peace keeper of the world.

[@dthomas99]

Fascinating discussion. We need more such thinkers & leaders. Blessed are these Peacemakers.

[@sashaa3390]

Great insights from George Yeo and Kishore Mahbubani!!! If only Western leaders could be as thoughtful as these amazing former statesmen, the world would be a significantly more peaceful and uplifting place.

[@unveiledeyes6558]

Great to hear Prof. Kishore discuss the current affairs with BG Yeo !

[@gimmijones596]

This are kind of people we really need to lead the world

[@lionvictor9944]

I think the prevailing topic/issues is not "Geopolitical Contest between the US and China". Rather the main issue is "The US's envious insulting attitude toward China and coercion of allies". China does not intend to compete. Rightly said, China wants to compete herself, improve of Chinese people.

[@leoncioco3305]

A real educational n intelligent discussion. This two have no 🪓 to grind so they can talk w/ out biases. 👏👏👏👍👍👍

[@parsvishal]

Salute to Kishore and George.. few people are speaking the actual reality today

[@lagazhang7380]

Thank you Mr Mahbubani and Mr Yeo, for providing your deep and wise studies and perspective to public. Really glad we have scholars like you in Asia. Congratulation to Singapore to produce such views and platform.

[@cocoanutte]

Amazing discussion. Thank you Kishore. Keep shining and sharing your light. The world needs more people like the two of you.

[@autumnfar3114]

Kishore, I really appreciate your efforts to invite good, wise and foresighted speakers. You too are a wise, experienced and talented writer and diplomat! Please keep up with the good efforts!

[@tomchua31]

Great listening to our home grown talents and intellects. Proud of them. Our 4 Gs have must to learn fr these great minds.👍👏God Bless them (and us)🙏🏼🤲

[@konaIII]

Singapore has already made a contribution by producing people like Kishore and George Yeo.

[@choegyal100]

Absolutely, American sees China as a threat to the United States’ long-standing supremacy, Southeast Asians and many developing countries generally accept China as an important partner for their development plans.

[@stvdmc2011]

America is the have, china's rise will mean US have to share what they have. The rest of the others are the have not, and hope to ride the wave of the China's rise.

[@BEASTMODE-ki1pd]

@@stvdmc2011 no we will choose War.

[@paulleo8922]

overflowing knowledge, intellect, wisdom... you are exceptions of exceptions, Kishore, George ...👍👏

[@kennethlee2378]

Thoughtful and insightful comments! It’s such a shame to lose a former foreign minister, George Yeo. More so than ever, we need leaders and thinkers like him to help us navigate today’s geopolitical issues.

[@tobylee6456]

Such an inspirational and resourceful talk by Mr YEO, I can't feel time passing listening to your speech of wisdom and knowledge. Appreciate it.

[@dovepenrol5955]

Well explained ...so deep and based on the fact and culture ...

[@peterchan9574]

Thank you gentlemen for presenting this interview. Just so you know, I'm Malaysian but living in the UK for donkey's years and so you know this podcast is being viewed worldwide. The podcast gives an excellent insight into the troubles and their causes, that's prevailing presently in East Asia. Thanks Kishore for asking the same questions that I've had and more thanks for George for the enlightenment to these questions.

[@MyKarur]

Well done Kishore. Very well handled this important discussion. George Yeo is brilliant!

[@tyko2686]

Wow! Certainly a very fascinating and insightful exchanges of two person full of wisdom and current world views. Thank you!

[@EdgarTheOnion]

As a Singaporean, i'm not gonna lie I've really learnt alot from this podcast. Great conversation !

[@derMcSven]

The quality of those interviews are impeccable -thank you kishore

[@judyng6266]

Thank you both speakers for the insightful dialogue about the geopolitical concerns between US and China. Very much looking forward for the Asian Peace Talk Episode 5.

[@eymeeraosaka2954]

Amazing insights...full of wisdom....

[@miketay9853]

Thanks for promoting the peace!

[@jakewest6273]

What an enjoyable podcast.. thank you for sharing this!

[@stephenling1598]

Hope you can invite George in the future to share his insight into Asia.

[@yttean98]

Good discussions, I don't think many westerners would listen to this podcast.

[@Andy-P]

I'm from the west am listening

[@markkukuivalainen4738]

Greetings from Australia what a commonsense discussion we need more man like this

[@chanleonghee9555]

Mr Yeo's Deep insight is most rewarding to all of us listening. Thank you sir

[@yongzeehow2045]

Geopolitical contest,is there a contest? In the space of space programmes, China have more than 100k Engineers, scientists, technicians etc.in supporting the programmed. During the US bannings of semiconductors, China from nowhere have 22k of semiconductor related companies in 2020,and this first 5 months there are an additional 15k semiconductors related companies in 2021,the figures are still on the uptrend. US are pushing China to speed up in theirs 2025 Chinese dream. Let me reminds you semiconductor is not all about chips alone, similarly there's more than 1000 components in completing a finished products. US is no longer a manufacturing country,do they have the supporting industries to compete.

[@lavendereucalyptus3225]

Fascinating and very insightful dialogue, I will share this episode as far as I could to help bridging the understanding between China and America, between East and West. Thank you Kishore and George. 🙏👍

[@gl7252]

Brilliant! Full of insights that offer real substance rather than the inane drivel of many so-called experts.

[@fajarliong]

Two wise guys speaking, LKY has chosen many good people during his time.

[@kennethlee2378]

Not only in LKY’s time, even more so today, we need thinkers and leaders like them!

[@yoopohkoh8472]

I supposed LKY could see the truth that we are all human beings with red blood running in our bodies, the race, religions, citizenship are all delusional, come to think of it when we are dead. Besides we human beings inhale and exhale the air and drink the water to survive on this very same planet we all live, and everything and every events are intertwined. Covid19 pendamic is an exemplary case at hands. These American politicans, corporate leaders and moguls of world multimedia are incahoot to dispense disinformation against China as the aggressor. But Mr Kishore Mahbubani has delved into all sorts of statistics, and even Chinese history in his talks to allay that its epic rise in economy, technology and military is not a direct attack on American Democracy and its world hegemony. America is the world hub of all knowledge, shockingly, its citizens hatred against China is on the rise, how could they be so navie and ignorant to accept all what their elite leaders has been spewing in the world media. China has often clamly implore USA to explore win win negation. China has no issues with America. It seems its leaders are in obsessional presumptions that China is the aggressor. By the way, considering the reality of human beings survival on this planet earth, it is an irony those brainy scientists are creating nuclear warheads and biochemical war arsenals under these elite leaders with evil intent for annihilation on their selected human beings who are not their kind. This must insanity must stopped.

[@fajarliong]

@@yoopohkoh8472 it is all about jealousy. When one is jealous, one becomes irrational. This is what happens.

[@yoopohkoh8472]

@@fajarliong Yes, it is obvious an unwarranted jealousy.

[@smfoo49]

Wow, the in-depth knowledge by this two Singaporeans on this topic is very impressive. Only hope there is enough western diplomats understanding are up to this level

[@tonytan6547]

It shows why Singapore succeded

[@richardchung5346]

Great wisdom George.

[@OppoA17k-uy7qg]

Kudos to this interesting and insightful discussion on China by the brilliant George Yeo and Kishore! Thanks to you both for helping us to understand China and why she is rising surely and peacefully! 👍

[@sct4052]

I would like to propose that George Yeo, Kishore and Kevin Rudd embark on a group tour to the US to share their views which hopefully will persuade more American to be more positive about China. Anti-China sentiments now are also being fanned by the media. Such useful podcasts and other talks posted on social media unfortunately do not reach a wide audience.

[@paulchong6126]

Thank You very much our neutral wisemen George and Kishore I am very pleased with You both two different colours fellow Singaporean Blessings ! Blessings !

[@gimmijones596]

They recognize that china is a powerful force as well us

[@liza6162]

👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 great interview

[@chitmengkhong4057]

Fascinating is right - Thank you

[@tonytan6547]

The 1st n most important reason for China's 9 Dash Lines claim was strategically for its national security

[@tonytan6547]

These 2 intelligent/wise men of Singapore goes to show why Singapore succeded---- only by electing capable people of integrity(as well as caring for the people) to run a country

[@stevewong8343]

USA: The problem is in the mirror. Please look in the mirror.

[@clarelau7484]

Don't blame the mirror if ur ugly...I second ur comment about USA

[@kohyouh3386]

If only the western policy makers would take note of this discussion, we would be able to look forward to a peaceful and prosperous future.

[@m.k.s.7417]

May ALL The [very]_Asian Continent: have PEACE/PROPSERITY. May ALL of Asia; have -PEACE (AND LOVE!!)!! -M.K.S.

[@godzillamothra5983]

Lyle Goldstein talked about the US policy of strategic ambiguity on Taiwan issue which he said useful and necessary but also contribute to the danger today. It is useful and necessary because it prevent war currently, but on the other hand it is also causing nations to sleepwalking into future war.

[@eddiesoong3281]

A very informative and enlightening discussion!

[@lytstevie8112]

GeorgeYeo's wisdom has what's majority of Singaporean stand and heart beats. Although we a multi-racial country can never take side but we know and understand the complexities and shortfalls of those political fights and we are immerged and emerged in both East-West ideologies and systems.

[@kevinhe3335]

Such deep strategic thinking, really appreciated.

[@generalurko5044]

Great analysis 👍

[@kriskris4776]

Incredibly mature wise smart humble strategic optimistic video. 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@teokimpiaw6923]

Such deep and sound insights into the seemingly indestructible mess between the US and China!

[@thyson6136]

Incredible clarity.

[@mistman5640]

Very good interview. But I have a different take on Chinese-ness. There are so many immigrants to China through out history and they have become Chinese. Japanese, Koreans, Indians, Persians and Arabs have been traveling and settling in China since the Tang dynasty, if not earlier. Jewish settlers in Song Dynasty. The list is quite extensive. How do we reconcile both narratives?

[@jameshue55]

The 1st generation of immigrants may not be Chinese but subsequent ones are. Chinese-ness is not defined by hardware but softer ones.

[@mistman5640]

@@jameshue55 I agree with you 100 percent. My comment is compare this to United States, where Asian Americans are NOT accepted as American after 150 years of immigration.

[@pito6979]

@@mistman5640 2nd generation of Asian American is only name and physical appearance are still asian...rest are long gone.

[@mistman5640]

@@pito6979 you are right also. Hence the tragedy of Asian Americans, no longer Asian, and not accepted as American. Caught in the middle.

[@penangrubbish7450]

Through osmosis as the way in which "foreign" dynasties like the Wei, Yuan and Manchu dynasties had integrated into what China is today.

[@wutl4298]

Most of those English educated Singaporeans will be very disappointed after listening to the podcast, but sorry to say, they got to wake up now.

[@demonridera]

We must accept that there's a huge difference in mindset. Eastern people want their population to work to uplift their own societies. The Western people want to have a good time by forcing the non white people to work for them cheaply. Not all white people are bad but the one's in power are deeply entrenched in this ideology. Whenever wealth extraction from the weaker people is threatened, they get very upset. The education system, media, finance, military have all been engineered for one purpose. Domination of others. The greatest need hence is to undertake a mega project to teach facts of history to all non white people (whites will get to know too), so that this cycle of exploitation can stop. This cycle feeds on selfish and corrupt non whites who are the foot soldiers for their imperial masters.

[@guestonearth1274]

Great insights

[@dyu007]

Outsource was the big thing in the 90s. It went on for 20+ years. Most of the products moved to China was because of the EPA that was too strict for some industries.

[@x-creator4460]

I wish I can see Kishore speaking instead of static background.

[@joshuac7964]

Very engaging and insightful discussion. Wish you guys show yourselves or at least have some related video clips slideshow instead of just displaying Mao's picture on the screen throughout.

[@phyllischew40]

Yes

[@roublemac3882]

Man if border problem is solved I prefer Chinese model as long as it has Indic characteristics. Western pattern is mostly colonization

[@syedmaricar9946]

If peace is maintained prosperity of our living standards will upgrade.

[@paulmcgrory5165]

Kishore dont worry about acupuncture. Scott Morrison needs a brain, spine and heart transplant.

[@kapk]

Good thing this US plant has been unplanted

[@noeldeguzmansanchez4156]

This only shows America lost their self confidence as compare to their forefathers.

[@bikramjitbiswas9478]

'o I completely agree with you'

[@Jeffrey2323]

A very enlightening discussion. My 2 cents opinion. USA is great in software. Japan failed to move ahead because of its failure to master English. It is the International language of science, commerce, software etc etc. China must master English if it hopes to be good in software. It must. Otherwise it will also falter like Japan. The Chinese language is without an alphabet. That is the key.

[@user-dc1ud6px3s]

Why should China help the US overcome its insecurity? Wasn't it insecurity which crushed the Soviet Union under its own weight? I say China should keep pressing all the wrong buttons. They should keep building space stations, submarines, aircraft carriers, especially when they are capable of building so well, so fast, and at such a low cost?

[@michaelkoh2280]

Excellent understanding of China. The cause of tension with China is due to USA insecurities!

[@fannybirot2362]

Two wise men!

[@philj5518]

👍🙏Peace

[@auricjaya]

How about doing a podcast with Jeffrey Sachs?

[@kapk]

Outstanding. Not crazy about the stereotypical opening closing music though!

[@jinsoonchin5205]

I think that should covert its ideology from communism to chinese-nism.

[@bellybutton6138]

Let Asia not become the Middle East chaos or the Balkans. Wars, however justified, brings nothing but misery to the ordinary people. We must learn from history of conflict to prevent another one.

[@newhorizons898]

It all goes back to the fundamental reason of life, basically, the struggle to be whole, necessitating survival of the fittest, the fittest having more benefits. Those less fit, have to find their niche and make what there is or can find. Mankind had tried to even the odds to create a semblance of civilization, but in the final analysis, when push comes to shove, or there is limited resources, which this real world has and is not an imaginary world which is limitless and infinitely larger, equity breaks down. The top dog would try not to give up it's top position and wants to hold it as long as possible, but alas, it can be futile, hence the saying, every dog has its day.

[@megstlimlim3386]

Black India has the only advantage of speaking better American English idioms than Chinese. But China is no longer inferior to Whites. China has many brilliant statesmen minds like GYEO 👏👏🙏🙏

[@ysbh228]

👍👍👍

[@shailajadsharma3516]

Insightful comments from the Singapore diplomat

[@fannybirot2362]

Foreigners can become Chinese if they truly love China. But it's not evident.

[@allahdino2796]

A Sindhi has been listening you professor since five years because his homeland ,civilization of 5000 years is in constant danger due to aggressive nations that have gathered here in Sindh .

[@AKgv9eh]

Sindhi’s are being about to be extinct in their own homeland, this is indeed a very sad reality. I understand your pain my friend.

[@henrywong1486]

What drives Singapore to side with US to sanctions against Russia? What nationaal interest is being considered by Singaporean gov't? Is there pressure applied by US on Singapore forw some violation on transfer of money.

[@mel9mel]

the sun rises from the east and sets in the west - please tell the G7 this and for them to face the ugly truth for them [the charming truth for us coloureds]. they should read Toynbee's thesis on how empires / civilizations fall and learn and dont let history repeat itself !! lalalalalaaaaaaa

[@konaIII]

"No one believed that a Black man could become President". I couldn't believe an Orange man could either. Now we have a Senile man. Wonder that's next. Maybe a Buffalo Hat man.

[@politicalofficer832]

I think there are major gaps in understanding in this conversation and a very skewed framing of the issues, in a subtle but clear pro-China way.

[@dyu007]

Xi : We are not exporting 1. poverty, 2. revolution 3. Making life difficult for others.

[@SagittarianArrows]

#jacobsladder

[@jamesjz918]

On one hand, Kishore is right that larger China economy does not have to disrupt US/Western economy. It is certainly possible China and US/western can prosper altogether. But on the other hand, it is just that the strategy/policies the current Chinese administration employs is making it certain that China's rise would cause the deterioration/rampdown of the US/western economy in the long run. China's rise could prosper the Europe/US economy but it chooses to override Europe/US economy instead of common prosperity. (Like 千人计划， 一带一路，南海划线， CHINA is mixing its economic ambition with its political ambition make it crash into the current global system and being the destructive force of the current system)。 These Chinese policies and long-term strategy are the direct cause of the rising of Trumpism and nationalism in US and trade war breaks out due to these aggressive Chinese renaissance policies at the first place.

[@henrywong1486]

Communism is a necessary state to start a poor economy where wealth is not sharequally.

[@HaveAGoodHeart]

Find it wierd that George mention China prefer communism as it is in alignment with Chinese history, tradition and philosophy. Not sure what Chinese history etc is aligned to Communism.

[@stng4857]

Singapore has lose many manufacturing capabilities compared to 10 to 20 years ago. HK has always very much been a Service economy even 20 years ago. SG has lose much more than HK in comparison. Over the last 5 years alone how many high tech manufacturing have shut down? So stop being delusional about this sad state of affairs.

[@drclleong]

Very easy, get rid of English Tsai..

[@my2cents505]

George is the so called people's minister. A large portion of Singaporean missed him. No offence a good interviewee but not so up to it an interviewer. Maybe wat abt the western world's ideals of fair trade against state subsidised industries? wat abt IP and stealing of IP, organised and state sponsored? Wat abt lack of respect for law, we all know hardly any foreign companies ever win a registered trademark court case? Its not just the rise of China. Maybe the world should worry about the way they rise. If fair, peaceful and lawful, I tink they will not be in the position today.

[@maddoo23]

"wat abt IP and stealing of IP, organised and state sponsored? Wat abt lack of respect for law, we all know hardly any foreign companies ever win a registered trademark court case?" Can you give me some statistics on this? As in, how many trademark cases were filed and how many were rejected without going into morality of patents and trademarks. Slavery was legal you know. Slavery still is legal in USA btw, but we are not talking about them, right? I mean, they are white, they used two nuclear bombs murdered millions but they are still considered peaceful. However, given that nuclear war and murdering millions is not considered violent by you but trademark violations are considered violent. It would be interesting to know how your delightful brain works.

[@yttean98]

It's all about interest and pursuing your interest, the bigger you get you to tend to exert your own pressure on others to achieve your goals. When you want to achieve your goal to be a bully and the level of bully you want to be. If you think the US plays fair and by the rules all the time or even most of the time you are fooling yourself, if you read the history of the US when it was rising you will be very surprised, full of hypocrisy, some fairness and play by the rules but lots of bullying and far worse declared wars on smaller countries.

[@tonym842]

Playing fair? Like smearing Huawei with allegations of national security, despite never finding security flaws in its equipment. Even the UK's intelligence agencies had confirmed no breaches & extensive examinations, yet were forced by the US to change its tune and hide behind the US's lies.

[@thucduyen9592]

In terms of IPs, no one is putting a gun in those CEOs heads, they have signed the docs. It is a commercial agreement, the Chinese are saying if you want to benefit from our cheap labour force, you need to let us know how to make it. If you don’t like it then don’t sign the docs. In terms of terms of state subsidies, what is the US government or EU governments to bail out their big corporates such as Boeing, Airbus, banks since decades during the telecoms bubble in 1999-2000, in financial crisis 2008-09 and today. Are these not state subsidies? Please be honest and stop demonising China. They work hard and do not steal from anyone so stop with the same rhetoric “the Chinese are stealing our jobs, the iPs. Note that the number of IPs submitted by Chinese companies such as Tencent, alibaba, Xiaomi and others have substantially increased since 2019, so are we still repeating the same broken record. The US have also copied the technologies of the Germans, the Brits in the past.

[@thucduyen9592]

@@tonym842 perhaps that there is no back door with Huawei so the US cannot spy on people so they would not allow them. In addition, Huawei’s 5G technologies are years ahead of western telecommunications. You may have seen lately that the US have banned the Chinese solar panels based on fake allegations of human rights as these solar panels are made in Xinjiang. It is another trade war because the Chinese green technologies are surpassing the US in that.

[@superblast39]

Poor Hong Kong

[@davidkw9]

Why poor Hong Kong? Hong Kong is now much much better than one year ago...

[@superblast39]

@@davidkw9 en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hong_Kong_national_security_law

[@davidkw9]

@@superblast39 what about national security laws? Every country has it to protect the country...

[@syedsajid630]

Poor Afghanistan Iraq Syria Libya

[@syedsajid630]

Great conversation love u kishore

[@thanapillai8069]

We known who sponsor Mr. Kishore and what he always speaks which is becoming boring.

[@gohseng1733]

He is speaking the true and not necessary he has to support China. USA is no more ‘Beautiful Country’ as Chinese refer USA in mandarin . Chinese now call USA ‘Evil Country’ full of jealousy and lies, bullies and cheaters .

[@stvdmc2011]

Because the Asian didn't regurgitate the stuff you want to hear.

[@Andy-P]

It isn't America threatening to invade Taiwan. The one China policy is a policy and could change. Taiwan is a friend of America. If China invades Taiwan and America does nothing that will undermine American alliances. America goals will be easier to achieve with Taiwan staying as it is - not Chinese occupation. Taiwanese do not want to be ruled from Beijing and self determination is important. Look at the 14 demands China makes on Australia - essentially telling Australia how to run their own country.

[@ktn3322]

China is livid w US and UK/Canada and Aust just not smart and became the bashing boy on their behalf.

[@khtan585]

No less than what the West is expecting China to do.

[@ehjj1723]

Your hypocrisy and double standard is sickening. Is it none of your business how China deals with its runaway province of Taiwan. What China presented to Nine news was its grievances against Australia, and pales into insignificance when compared to what Australia and its master the US has been doing to China. Incidentally, what are you doing in China's backyard? How would you feel if China was to send her armada to your backyard? Whats good for the gander should be good for the goose.

[@Andy-P]

@@ehjj1723 China's world ambition is sickening to me. This article says a lot on how the world will be with China running it. The democratic nations have woken up to the CCP threat. www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3136889/china-seeking-promote-its-world-view-and-roll-back-westernisation?NOT-Follow&d=c8b921d5-1d0e-4e67-aa2a-97d9465d8a0e

[@HTeo-og1lg]

I pray that God will be faithful to His promise in Galatians 6: 7,8. The Alpha and Omega Creator, may seem to some to tarry, but in God's own good time, the Aborigines of the continent will get back their land from the descendants of the genocidal invaders. ps. God had not forgotten the Hebrews even as they were almost decimated, but after 400 years of abducted slavery in Egypt, their numbers suddenly increased, and God brought forth a leader called Moses to free them.

[@wongmiko4234]

👍👍👍👍👍