China is a democracy by Lincoln’s definition: former Singaporean FM

Editor’s Note:

As tensions between China and the West continue to heat up, the Communist Party of China ( CPC) has become the target of myriad attacks of the US- led Western countries. George Yeo ( Yeo), former Singaporean minister of foreign affairs, thinks this is because many in the West perceive China as a threat to American dominance in the world. Yet Yeo believes the nature of China’s rise is very different from that of the US – and hopefully Americans will eventually realize this. What does Yeo think of the development the CPC over the past 100 years? Why is China constantly being labeled as conducting “wolf warrior diplomacy?” Yeo shared his insights with Global Times ( GT) reporters Li Aixin and Bai Yunyi.

GT: Over the past two years, China’s diplomatic style has been considered by some as becoming increasingly tough. Some analysts even pin labels such as “wolf warrior diplomacy” on it. As a diplomatic professional, how do you view the phenomenon?

Yeo: I’m not surprised that Chinese diplomats and spokespersons are being forced to reply to Western criticisms in a feisty way. Not all these criticisms are reasonable. Some of them are completely unreasonable. If nothing else, for China’s own domestic audience, it is important for Chinese diplomats and spokespersons to reply in a sharp and robust manner. Although I think sometimes a more effective way to reply is to be ironic, and it’s not a bad thing to smile more, even when you’re giving a very serious reply.

I ask some of my Western friends, do you think Western diplomats and Western commentators are also “wolf warriors?” They don’t like to reply to this question. In a way, China is giving back what it is being given.

But it is not necessarily in China’s own interest. Sometimes it is better to be more humble, to be more elegant, like the way Chinese people are to other Chinese people.

GT: What do you think of the possibility of an outbreak of a military conflict between China and the US? If it occurs, how might Singapore and other Southeast Asian countries cope with this situation?

Yeo: A military conflict between the US and China can engulf the whole world and be a huge setback to humanity. We need wisdom on both sides. Conflicts are natural. What worries me, in particular, is the way the Taiwan card is being played by the US. Henry Kissinger has reminded the Americans that US acceptance of Taiwan as part of China is the basis of US- China relations. This is not a card. This is the bedrock. If you start playing with the bedrock, you can bring down the whole structure of relations between two very big and important countries.

For many countries in the world, especially for countries in Southeast Asia,

China and the

US are like father and mother to us. Whom do you love more? Father or mother? Children don’t like to be asked this question. I can imagine how every country in Southeast Asia feels about this dilemma. Frankly, no one wants to be involved. Everyone prefers to keep on the side and keep quiet.

GT: How likely is it for China to become a superpower equal to the US? Yeo: China’s economy will overtake the US. In terms of PPP ( purchasing price parity), China’s economy is already significantly bigger than that of the US. But in terms of per capita income,

China is way behind the US and the US will continue to be the most advanced country in the world for a long time.

But already, China is viewed as a threat to a lot of people because of its sheer size and because of the unity of the Chinese people.

Does it mean that China wants to be a superpower the way the Soviet Union was or the way the US is – wanting to pass judgment in other countries or wanting to export its governing system and its philosophy to others?

China is too old and wise to ever want such a thing. China will never want to be super power.

Let’s be good neighbors, good friends, try and help each other. That is Chinese approach. It’s a very different mentality from that of the West, which has a missionary tradition.

There will be some inevitable conflict between the US and China and this will go on for many years. But one day the US will realize that China’s nature is different from the nature of the US.

GT: The West has long criticized political models in some Asian countries and believes there is no real democracy in East and Southeast Asia. What’s your view about it?

Yeo: My view of democracy goes back to the essence of democracy, to the Greek origin of what democracy is – which is the people as master. Abraham Lincoln talked about government of the people, by the people, for the people. By this definition, China is a democracy.

But the debate of a democracy in the West is not about its essence, but by the way it is implemented. In Western system, voting is very important. The separation of powers, the executive judiciary… these are very important considerations in Western democratic forms.

China’s philosophy about the moral basis of centralized governance goes back to Confucius and Laozi. How to govern is always at the center of Chinese philosophical thought. China will find its own way toward achieving the democratic idea.