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**MANILA, May 15 (APD) ** – Two academicians from the University of the Philippines and a newspaper columnist expressed optimism after Chinese President Xi Jinping’s speech at the formal launch of his economic innovation early Sunday morning.
In an interview at midday today, Professor Bobby Tuazon, currently Director for Policy Studies of the UP-based Center for People Empowerment in Governance (Cen-PEG) and former chair of UP-Manila’s Political Science program said President Xi Jinping has begun promoting a new world order.
“This new world order is based on friendship and cooperation that establishes inter-connectivity among peoples of the world, from Asia to Africa to some parts of Europe,” Professor Tuazon explained.
Prof. Tuazon added that the Belt and Road which President Xi described as “project of the century,” has not only focused on structures, infrastructure, trade and industries, transfer of technology but it’s all sharing common language, cultures, ideas and scientific knowledge among countries involved in the program.
He further said it is indeed a “new thing” with building a new world order not based on conflicts, aggressiveness and not even based on military alliances, which are already passed, but on the “common desires of peoples for peace and development that need to be urgently addressed.”
“Many peoples of the world, those enlightened, will definitely welcome such ideas transitioning or migrating to a new world system based on interdependence, fairness, non-interference, respect for culture which will finally come intro fruition in a few years,” Tuazon explained.
In a separate interview, Manila Times columnist Rod Kapunan said the Philippines history will prove the Philippines has already been part of the Maritime Silk Road as Chinese traders flocked to Sulu which was the center of commerce during the 14th century.
He said then Sultan of Sulu Paduka Pahala visited China in 1417 with some 300 people of noble descent.
He developed a strong friendship with the Chinese emperor.
The sultan died on his way home and the Chinese emperor ordered a mausoleum built in his memory in Shandong province.
His descendants are still in Shandong to this very day.
President Xi simply called for the revival of trade between the East and the West where products from Asia reached the Americas through the Galleon trade which began before the Americans came to the Philippines.
Speaking about the Belt and Road initiative, Mr. Kapunan said the rise of China is inevitable because trade with China is most important which is linked to the promise of developmental projects.
“The United States may not like it but Americans will be eclipsed by China in Asia,” Kapunan added.
He said while it is not China’s responsibility to develop the economies of its immediate neighbors, its leaders have a good foresight because they believe in the importance of the meaning of harmony.
Professor Clarita Carlos, in her Facebook account said the major themes of peace, openness, innovation, prosperity, financial and economic integration connecting Asia, Africa and parts of Europe were mentioned by Presidents Xi Jinping, Vladimir Putin of the Russian Federation, Turkey’s Recep Tayyip Erdogan and the United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.
“While there was no mention of the United States nor the Americas, President Xi emphasized the initiative was inclusive.”
“We are part of this initiative and we shall see how this massive mission will realize itself,” she added.
“After all, the journey of a thousand miles starts with the first step,” she concluded.
(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)
