G20 Summit overshadowed by terrorism and war
- By Heiko Khoo
0 Comment(s)
Print
E-mail China.org.cn, November 18, 2015
Another problem is the incompetence and spinelessness of the U.S. backed Iraqi army when confronting IS forces. Following the recent bomb attack on a Russian passenger plane in Egypt, Putin appeared to have been brought in from the cold at the G20 summit, and pictures emerged of him sitting huddled in deep conversation with President Obama.
China had hoped the G20 summit would focus on economic development and collaboration. As economic growth is slowing in most countries and the traditional capitalist prescriptions of free markets and privatization are not working. China assumes the G20 presidency in December and will host the 2016 summit.
It takes the view that peace can only be built on rising prosperity. And it argues that the world economy requires smooth and rapid economic growth to meet the development needs of the people. If this growth also reduces inequality - both between and within nations - then tensions will decline and peaceful and collaborative relations can prevail.
This requires massive infrastructure investment: like building roads, railways, and housing, as well as raising the level of education, and the quality of healthcare for all. In addition, tackling environmental devastation can integrate the latest energy saving and environmentally sustainable technologies, into global infrastructure planning.
China is the only major economy engaged in massive infrastructure development programs right now and it will use the new Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) to initiate global infrastructure initiatives.
China 13th Five Year Plan (2016-2020) will dramatically affect the world. Indeed, the influence, methods and results of the 12th Five Year Plan, and of China's international infrastructure projects, should be studied and reviewed by the world.
Then the best practices of its planning system should be emulated elsewhere. This can be a lever to develop a global plan for development and integration, which could offer humanity a vision of hope based on peace, freedom and plenty in harmony with the ecology.
What is required is boldness of vision in the economic and social sphere that looks beyond knee-jerk reactions.
Heiko Khoo is a columnist with China.org.cn. For more information please visit:
http://www.china.org.cn/opinion/heikokhoo.htm
Opinion articles reflect the views of their authors, not necessarily those of China.org.cn
Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)