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Beijing Forum 2007: Keynote Speech
by Robert Anthony Scalapino
By Zhang Andi
PKU NEWS 2007--11--04
http://ennews.pku.edu.cn/news.php?s=194181966
The Great Hall of the People, Beijing, Nov. 2, 2007: the world renowned expert on
Asian issues and Professor of University of California at Berkeley, Robert Anthony
Scalapino addresses a keynote speech demonstrating his observation of the
international situation of the modern world in the opening ceremony of Beijing Forum
2007.
Prof. Scalapino firstly points out in the report that we are living in the mankind's most
revolutionary era, whose transformation is with high speed, extensive scope and
profound impact. And no community and no individual can place themselves outside
of the revolution. With economic development and globalization, the global industrial
revolution gradually shortens the distance between different countries, at the same
time makes the global community face more problems for the existence of the
differences between varieties of cultures, languages, religions and ethical groups.
As an expert on Asian issues, Prof. Scalapino believes that the Asia-Pacific region
will lead the world in the 21st century. The United States of America holds a standing
growth and will still be the superpower of the world. Japan is under severe and
profound reform which would restore its global impact. Russia is making its way to
healthy and fast economic growth and political reform. India shows a promising
future for economic development and political progress. All these countries, besides
China which receives intense attention from Prof. Scalapino, are accumulating their
strengths and will play vital roles in the map of the world in the future.
In his speech, Prof. Scalapino stresses the reform and development of China. He
notices the rapid development of China for recent twenty years and labels China as
the fastest growth and rise country in the world. However, if China wishes to play a
more crucial part in the world, Chinese leaders should try their best to appropriately
address the Taiwan Issue and efficiently mitigate the differences between rich and
poor people, rural and urban areas.
As far as the global situation is concerned, Prof. Scalapino advocates a cautious
optimistic attitude towards this issue. Although human society faces the threat of
terrorism, extremism, destruction and deterioration of human security, and many
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