The rise
of China is profoundly altering the
international system. In just three short
decades, China has moved from an economic
backwater to the world’s number two economy. Its
economic footprint is felt everywhere from
Angola to Argentina. As the world’s largest
energy consumer and emitter of carbon, its
development is profoundly affecting the world’s
environment and resources. A stronger China
craves respect and is asserting its political
and security interests, especially in Asia.
Even as China is changing the world, however,
the country itself is changing. President Xi
Jinping has ushered in ambitious economic
reforms and a far-reaching anti-corruption
campaign. Chinese politics, economics, and
foreign policy are all evolving rapidly.
Few political leaders have deep expertise with
China. Two exceptions are Kevin Rudd, former
Prime Minister of Australia and a fluent
Mandarin speaker, and Henry M. Paulson, Jr.,
former U.S. Secretary of the Treasury and
chairman of the Paulson Institute, with long and
deep experience with the country and its
leaders. Together, they have unrivaled
experience with the issues China’s emergence is
raising for its leaders, the region, and the
world.
Asia Society, in partnership with the Paulson
Institute, is proud to present Mr. Rudd and Mr.
Paulson in a discussion about the future of
China, and what its rise means for all of us.
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