Some people argue that compromise is not possible or perhaps even desirable， because the US and China hold such different values. Indeed， one US official recently defined the clash with China as “a fight with a really different civilisation and a different ideology”. Others observe that the US is a young country that wants everyone to be like them， while China is an old country that believes no one else can be like them.
To expect every country to adopt the same cultural values and political system is neither reasonable nor realistic. In fact， humankind’s diversity is its strength. There is much we can learn from one another， from the differences in our values， perspectives， systems， and policies. The story of humankind’s progress has been one of exchange of ideas， and continuous learning and adaptation.
Henry Kissinger said last year that “we are in a very， very grave period for the world”. No one can predict which way events will develop. At different times in the last two centuries， Southeast Asia has seen rivalry between great powers. It has experienced destruction and suffering from war and occupation. It has been divided into opposing camps. It has seen how isolation from the world economy led to stagnation and sometimes conflict. At other times， it has benefited from international cooperation that created an open， stable environment where countries could prosper in peace.
On a long view， we cannot rule out any of these eventualities. But in our own generation， we must work together to maximise |
