M.U.S.T. Honorary Doctor Prof. Kishore Mahbubani on
“Talk of Diplomacy - Are Asians Ready for the Asian Century?”
Group Photo
In celebration of its 23rd anniversary, the Macau University of Science and Technology（M.U.S.T.）held a special talk titled “Talk of Diplomacy - Are Asians Ready for the Asian Century?”, which was supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China in the Macao Special Administrative Region, at the University’s N101 Auditorium in Block N, in the afternoon of 27th March 2023. The academic lecture was delivered by Prof. Kishore Mahbubani, the founding dean of the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy at the National University of Singapore, a former Singapore Ambassador to the United Nations and an honorary doctor of M.U.S.T. as the keynote speaker, followed by a dialogue with Mr. Shiu Sin-por, Member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference of the People's Republic of China and a former Head of the Central Policy Unit of the HKSAR Government, and with Prof. Hao Yu Fan, Distinguished Guest Speaker of the Institute of Social and Cultural Research of M.U.S.T. and President's Chair Professor of the Chinese University of Hong Kong (Shenzhen).
Distinguished guests attending the event included: Mr. Liu Xian Fa, Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China in the Macao S.A.R.; Ms. Lau Wai Meng, Director of the Post and Telecommunications Bureau; Mr. Lei Ka Hou, Functional Head of the Education and Youth Development Bureau; staff of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, representatives of Mainland and local universities, Hong Kong, and local secondary schools, local banks, enterprises and institutions, etc.; Dr. Liu Chak Wan, Chancellor and Chairman of University Council of M.U.S.T.; Chair Prof. Joseph Hun-wei LEE, Vice Chancellor and the President of M.U.S.T.; Dr. Wong Yue Kai, Vice Chairman of University Council of M.U.S.T.; Mr. Tsui Wai Kwan, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of M.U.S.T. Foundation; Ms. Chen Ji Min, Secretary-General of University Council of M.U.S.T.; Dr. Tong Ka Lok and Mr. Kwong Ying Wah, Vice Presidents of M.U.S.T.; Ms. Ung Pui Kun, member of University Council of M.U.S.T.; Chair Prof. Zhu Yi Zhun, Associate Vice President of M.U.S.T.; members of the M.U.S.T. Advisory Board, as well as representatives from M.U.S.T. institutions, teachers, and students.
President Joseph Hun-wei LEE delivered a speech welcoming Prof. Kishore Mahbubani and the attending guests. He noted that since its establishment, M.U.S.T. has been committed to providing high-quality education and research and has cultivated many talents for Macao. With the support of the Central Government and the Macao SAR Government, M.U.S.T.'s overall competitiveness and international influence have been continuously growing. M.U.S.T. has established more than 20 major research institutes and centers, and various partnerships with more than 200 teaching and research institutions around the world. M.U.S.T. will continue to pursue innovative development, promote innovative education and scientific research, and make greater contributions to the development of Macao and the country.
President Joseph Hun-wei LEE delivered a speech
During the opening speech, Commissioner Liu Xianfa fully recognized the work done by M.U.S.T. of broadening the international perspective of young teachers and students and pointed out that President Xi Jinping is concerned with the growth and functioning of youth, encouraging them to show their youthful vitality in the practice of building communities with a shared future for mankind, hoping that Macao's young students will contribute to enhancing cooperation between China and Portuguese-speaking countries and cultivating a closer China-ASEAN community with a shared future by fully using the advantages of Macao. Telling China’s stories, conveying China’s voice, and showing a real, three-dimensional, and comprehensive China, young people should integrate life plans into the great cause of national rejuvenation and human progress, and write a colorful chapter of life.
Commissioner Liu Xianfa
In the academic lecture, Prof. Kishore Mahbubani explained that the 21st century is the Asian century, he noted that resistance is affecting the arrival of the Asian century, and pointed out the strategies that Asia should adopt including making full use of the established international institutions such as the United Nations (UN). He said that the 19th century was the European century, the 20th century was the American century, but now economic power’s center has shifted from the West to Asia, and the 21st century will be the Asian century. There are three components of resistance currently affecting the Asian century’s arrival: (1) geopolitical competition between the US and China; (2) obstructionism from Western countries that are used to dominating and governing the world; (3) fear and resistance from some Asian powers. Asian countries should maintain their economic development and growth and actively promote the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), at the same time, work with more countries and regions, and create a fairer environment. In addition, Asian countries should fully use international institutions or platforms such as the UN General Assembly to proactively convey Asia's voice to the world.
Prof. Kishore Mahbubani
In the dialogue session, Prof. Kishore Mahbubani engaged in a profound discussion with Mr. Shiu Sin-por and Prof. Hao Yu Fan and gave detailed responses to questions raised by the students.
Dialogue Session
