That's a very sharp example of the virtues of two opposite discourses, one is that of the US, the other is that of China.
China mobilizes developmentalist diplomacy in which security is economized.
US mobilizes militarist diplomacy in which economy is securitized.
The problem with the China approach is that it moves very incrementally.
The problem with the US approach is that it is not sustainable.
The advantage of China approach is that it is perennial and benefits are more evenly distributed across the social strata.
The advantage of the US approach is that it can accrue quick benefits for the immediate stakeholders at the top of decision making elitism.
The two discourses are anti-theses of each other. Asia-Pacific is one of the theaters where these two discourses clash.
It is impossible for the common men (and the politicians that know the common men by heart) not to notice the benefits of China approach.
It is also impossible for the power elite not to notice the benefits of US approach.
Hence, President Duterte, a man coming from a moderate background and right from the street, appreciating CN's friendly cooperation against all odds, including territorial disputes.
PH President also recognizes US' militarized help, which never comes enough but keeps the country at the receiving end forever.
China-led discourse is empowering.
US-led discourse is dis-empowering.
@Sinopakfriend , my friend, Mr. Duterte's historic remarks actually gives a proper substance to what we have been debating on the theoretical level.
My friend,
Elegantaly, in accessible manner you have laid bare the two global dynamics! I like it.
If we may go below the surface reality...we shall find the reasons for two approaches become more apparent.
1- China's external approah, engagement and discourse is reflection of internal conduct.
What China has been doing within China for the Chinese people is reflected in its conduct outside.
The Chinese Model is that of people's advancement, developement driven. From roads to Universities everything is geared towards the betterment of humna condition i.e. lives of the Chinese People.
2- On the oppsite spectrum you have an approach of elitism, feudalism and oligarchy. This system is geared towards the power consilidation and extreme accumulation of wealth in very few hands. Plato's critique on democracy is a must read for those who wish to understand the current behaviour of the global West.
What you correctly described as securitised engagement is indeed so in its execution.
However, its the financialisation of everything...humans and resources alike that is the root cause of this. Securitised mechanisms are the protectors or facilitators of Financialisation.
@Shotgunner51 can provide a professional breakdown about this.
The 'free' media of the global empire is a great tool of Manufacturing Public Consent.
@ahojunk has tried to explain it rather well.
As I have said earlier in such a thread...
it is in small things that the genesis of greater changes lie.
China being the victim of colonialism/global imperialism has a natural tendency to side with the common people..who have suffered and are suffering under its yoke.
This China does by not creating proxies to fight this global imperialism but by providing empowerment to the people. This is your very valid observation.
Take Philpine as an example:
After the Spanish, the Americans colonised it. Destroyed its social fabric and created a collaborating elite which suppressed its own people. Do you recall that waterboarding was first implemented in PH?
What this PH president is doing is giving voice to that deep rooted pain and suffering. His anguish is real.
It is not only China which have a Century of Pain to remember. We must see the centuries of suffering of our fellow Asians and other peoples. This continues to this day.....
My full hearted support for OBOR is because of this Fact.
By laying the foundation of development and interconnection China is not only creating future markets for the Chinese businesses but also helping other peoples to become independent. China rightfully wants others in Eurasia and Pacific to develop so that China can reach a developed nation status in the coming three decades.
This is Win-Win on massive scale. Never happened before in human history. Just like China lifting millions out of poverty in short time.
a- OBOR will cost around 20+ Trillion RMB over 3 decades...and the result will be development and advancement of human condition. Within due time a subtext of Civilisation Paradigm Shift will become more pronounded. We both have seen this already taking shape, however minutely, in Pak through CPEC.
@PaklovesTurkiye @Kaptaan
b- The global empire has spent around 5 Trillion dollars since 2001 on its discourse and result is what?
Nevertheless, it will be great mistake to underestimate the global empire and its ability to cerate chaos and destruction.
I totally understand the incremental approach China has taken so far. This the right course of action. Sun Wukong must be allowed mischief before Buddha closes his palm.
With patience, diligence and foresight the knots of global imperial system are being unknotted. Smaller steps taken will create the Butterfuly effect later.
The Game of Go is so much different than the Chess. China has a natural apptitude and patience of drawing Circles is the Gobal Game of Go. It is nuanced, subtle. Which is the essence of Chinese Mind.
On last note...in your studies you have seen that China follows a National Economic System/Model as compared to global empire's Neo-liberal Financial Model.
You will see that throughout OBOR in euarasia National Economic Model will find deeper roots.
Pres. Xi delivered such a profound and far reaching speech yet no one in the West noticed.
Funny, won't you agree.