Blair, Park bat for new world order

SEOUL – Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair and South Korean President Park Gyeun-hye yesterday said that for globalization to work, people all over the world should stay connected and accept that geo-political shifts, particularly the rise of China, are inevitable.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the 16th World Knowledge Forum (WKF) at the Jangchung-The Shilla Seoul here, Park expressed con-

fidence that the WKF will provide “new hopes for mankind.”

Blair said prevailing geo-political shifts in the world, including a rearmed Japan, the hegemony war between the US and Japan, and the posturing by North Korea, should not stop the attainment of a new world order.

He particularly cited the rise of China as an inevitable fact that should be looked at not with dread but with “great opportunities.”

“The rise of China is an inevitable fact. I personally see a lot of great opportunities there just as long as you achieve the right partnership with China,” he stressed.

Chinese President Xi Jinping is in the UK to take a stake in British nuclear power plants.

Blair said globalization is “unstoppable” and “should work for the benefit of all peoples.”

“I don’t think it can be held back. For globalization to work, people should keep connected and have an open mind to come across the boundaries of culture, religion, and faith,” he added.

Chang Dae-whan, chairman of Maekyung Media Group and founder of the WKF said the three-day forum seeks to “search for zeitgeist (spirit of the age) for the 21st century.”

The forum will have 90 sessions and 230 speakers.