As 2025 wraps up just days before New Year's Eve, Asia's growth story is on 🔥. From powering global markets to reshaping international ties, the region has been at the center of big moves this year.
High-quality development in China has been a major highlight. Think tech hubs in Shenzhen going green, fintech innovations in Shanghai, and infrastructure projects linking cities faster than ever. Beyond the economy, China also stepped up as a stabilizing voice on the world stage, navigating challenges from climate change to trade tensions.
Amid these shifts, everyone's watching the next chapter of China-US relations. After a year of high-level talks and meetups, key questions remain: Will cooperation outweigh competition? Can shared goals in climate and trade bridge the gap? 🤔
We chatted with Professor Kishore Mahbubani, veteran diplomat and global affairs guru, to get his take. Here's the TL;DR:
- Cooperation over rivalry: Mahbubani says teamwork on climate, health, and tech standards is a must. 'Shared challenges need shared solutions.'
- Asia's growth bonus: With South and Southeast Asia booming—from India's startup explosion to Southeast Asia's digital leap—these markets will drive global prosperity.
- Multipolar world: Expect more players in the mix. Besides China and the U.S., India, the EU, and others will shape decisions on trade, security, and tech norms.
Bottom line? 2025 showed us that Asia isn't just along for the ride—it's steering the global future. As we head into 2026, the big win will come from unity, innovation, and keeping those channels open. Ready for the ride? 😉🚀
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
