Asians want bigger say in global matters

Friday August 22, 2008

The West should not be alarmed when Asian nations seek a bigger role in global matters.
The Raja Muda of Perak, Raja Dr Nazrin Shah, said that as Asian economies grew, it was only natural that Asians would want a bigger say in global matters.
Beyond borders: Nazrin speaking to David Tang Yue Tan from Hong Kong who chaired the Economics Youth Workshop. At left is University Malaya Vice-Chancellor Datuk Rafiah Salim.
"History has taught us that the rise of new powers had never been smooth. We have learnt, and hopefully the voices of moderation will prevail," he said.
Raja Nazrin said for the world to remain peaceful and productive, the West must recognise Asia's rise.
However, he said there was no threat of Asia leapfrogging Western nations in the near future as even fast-rising economies like China have "some way to go before it catches up".
"Many are referring to the 21st century as the Asian century. China and India and other tiger economies are pounding on the door of the West asking for recognition.
"Will this turn the US and Europe into has-beens? This fear is overblown," he said.
He said there were already calls for the United Nation's security council to be restructured so that more seats were given to Asia, as well as having more Asians fill top positions in the World Bank.
"The East and the West have always been able to meet when they recognised the strengths of each other. We should acknowledge our differences, and embrace our differences," he said.
Raja Nazrin, who is also Universiti Malaya pro-chancellor and an alumnus of Harvard University, was speaking at the launch of the Harvard Project for Asian and International Relations academic conference, which was themed "Beyond Borders: Asia on the World Stage."
He said the theme was timely and relevant, as Asian societies were now more integrated in the global economy as never before.
Using, as an example the overseas Chinese and Indians, who number 40 million and 25 million respectively, Raja Nazrin said there were plenty of Asians living in the West and vice-versa.
More than 200 students from about 30 countries gathered to interact with business, academic and political leaders at the four-day conference hosted by Universiti Malaya.
The Star is the official media for the event.

TS