When I first heard of the concept of the Silk Road proposed by the Premier Xi Jinping of China, I thought it was another political slogan that retraced old history to establish, soften the Chinese economic expansion, and legitimise their action. I did not pay mush attention to the details of the plan.
One day I came across the youtube video '一带一路'. The video shows the commitment of China in helping the countries that span the Silk Road. It is a dream to connect through roads, seas and air so that people can benefit through economic exchanges, through goods and services, eventually billions of lives could change, bringing about better communication and understanding, eventually resolving conflicts.
We had seen the failure of the political system that claims to change lives and improve living condition only to be disappointed by them, whether communism or democracy, they are not the absolute for a better life. Perhaps good leaderships, decent hardworking people, physical planning and economic progress are evident for a better life. Slogan and rhetoric can stir human passion but reality can only change through real work and a cohesive people. We see the rise of China, and they had learned through hard ways. We are reminded of the open door policy of Deng XiaoPing. His wisdom, " It doesn't matter if a cat is black or white, so long as it catches mice. "
In introspect, we see Singapore's rise to a developed country through economic means an open door policy benefited her people. Although a small country without resources we are able to raise the standard of living for the people. For most people, a simple life with a roof over the head, food and clean water, peace and a civil society is all that one sought after.
The question is how countries can learn from China and Singapore to achieve this simple ideal?
Perhaps, China's civil commitment to a better world as a global citizen through 'One Belt One Road' can bring about vast global changes. One has to be cautioned as there are many differences of culture. However, there is a Chinese proverb ‘和而不同’ , loosely translated as 'Inclusive diversity'
No comments:
Post a Comment