Dr. Patrick Ho: Sino-US Cooperation Will Lead to a Renaissance of Modern Times
- 2016-07-01 05:19
HONG KONG, January 24th – Dr. Patrick Ho, Deputy Chairman and Secretary General of the China Energy Fund Committee (CEFC), believes that China and the United States now face a common mission to redefine their mutual values, waken modern humanity, reshape the world civilization and ultimately lead a “Renaissance of modern times.”
Speaking at CEFC’s ninth Sino-US Colloquium, Dr. Ho noted that Sino-U.S. relations can evolve in one of two ways. One is through a “geopolitics of a unipolar system, a zero sum game for national interests, sovereignty, and territorial rights.” The other is through the “geo-economic approach of a multipolar system providing both countries with ample opportunities for partnerships, business ventures, and cooperative and collaborative projects of all kinds.” “This multifaceted, multidimensional model,” said Dr. Ho, “creates stability, harmony and peace with win-win outcomes for all.”
In recent years, the assumption that “the two countries will end up heading towards the Thucydides trap” – a theory which presupposes inevitable conflict between rising and declining powers – is increasingly prevalent among some experts and scholars. Dr. Ho sees the theory as “incomplete and simplistic” and responded to the theory with three points.
First, he said, peace is and has been prevailing in the Asia-Pacific. Despite the complex nature and geopolitical and cultural variety of the region, trade and cooperative projects are extensive. Second, explained Dr. Ho, both Beijing and Washington have realized that communication and engagement is important, with the two sides talking to each other often and regularly. Third, there are numerous areas of agreement and cooperation between the two countries, including counterterrorism, climate, environment, economy, energy and global stability, said Dr. Ho.
“China and the US share common foes, challenges, predicaments, and needs,” Dr. Ho said. “It is high time that the two most powerful countries join hands, and begin to tackle all of challenges humanity faces, including maintaining peace and stability around the globe.”
The colloquium, which had the theme of “Sino-US Security Relations: An Agenda for the Next U.S. President” was co-organized by CEFC, the China Institute of International Studies (CIIS), and the United States Energy Security Council (USESC). It gathered more than 150 participants from various walks of life, including former government officials, scholars and businessmen from China and the US.
This is the ninth Sino-US Colloquium in a series organized by the CEFC since 2012, held alternatingly in Hong Kong and Washington D.C. Previous themes have included Asian Energy Security Cooperation: Challenges and Opportunities, A Trialogue with Japan, Core Values and World Order, The Role of Media in Building a New Type of Major-Country Relations, and Beyond the Current Distrust.
Speaking at CEFC’s ninth Sino-US Colloquium, Dr. Ho noted that Sino-U.S. relations can evolve in one of two ways. One is through a “geopolitics of a unipolar system, a zero sum game for national interests, sovereignty, and territorial rights.” The other is through the “geo-economic approach of a multipolar system providing both countries with ample opportunities for partnerships, business ventures, and cooperative and collaborative projects of all kinds.” “This multifaceted, multidimensional model,” said Dr. Ho, “creates stability, harmony and peace with win-win outcomes for all.”
In recent years, the assumption that “the two countries will end up heading towards the Thucydides trap” – a theory which presupposes inevitable conflict between rising and declining powers – is increasingly prevalent among some experts and scholars. Dr. Ho sees the theory as “incomplete and simplistic” and responded to the theory with three points.
First, he said, peace is and has been prevailing in the Asia-Pacific. Despite the complex nature and geopolitical and cultural variety of the region, trade and cooperative projects are extensive. Second, explained Dr. Ho, both Beijing and Washington have realized that communication and engagement is important, with the two sides talking to each other often and regularly. Third, there are numerous areas of agreement and cooperation between the two countries, including counterterrorism, climate, environment, economy, energy and global stability, said Dr. Ho.
“China and the US share common foes, challenges, predicaments, and needs,” Dr. Ho said. “It is high time that the two most powerful countries join hands, and begin to tackle all of challenges humanity faces, including maintaining peace and stability around the globe.”
The colloquium, which had the theme of “Sino-US Security Relations: An Agenda for the Next U.S. President” was co-organized by CEFC, the China Institute of International Studies (CIIS), and the United States Energy Security Council (USESC). It gathered more than 150 participants from various walks of life, including former government officials, scholars and businessmen from China and the US.
This is the ninth Sino-US Colloquium in a series organized by the CEFC since 2012, held alternatingly in Hong Kong and Washington D.C. Previous themes have included Asian Energy Security Cooperation: Challenges and Opportunities, A Trialogue with Japan, Core Values and World Order, The Role of Media in Building a New Type of Major-Country Relations, and Beyond the Current Distrust.