Yan Xuetong: East Asia will eclipse Europe as global peace and growth hub
Chinese scholar says East Asia's peace foundations stronger than Europe's amid escalating global conflicts.
Yan Xuetong, honorary president of the Institute of International Relations at Tsinghua University, told a media event in Beijing on Thursday that East Asia is poised to eclipse Europe as the world's leading region for peace and economic growth. He argued that Europe's inability to end the Russia-Ukraine war undermines its claim to maintaining continental peace, whereas East Asia has enjoyed a long period of stability. The widening rift between the United States and its European allies, he added, further elevates East Asia's global standing.
Yan predicted that regardless of the outcome of current US-Iran negotiations, the global security situation will deteriorate over the next five years, with state-based conflicts becoming more likely. He identified Europe, the Middle East, and Africa as the regions facing the biggest threats in the coming year. In contrast, East Asia's foundations for peace are 'stronger than those in Europe,' making it a more reliable model for stability and prosperity.
- Yan Xuetong claims East Asia's peace foundations are stronger than Europe's due to sustained regional stability.
- He warns global security will deteriorate over the next five years regardless of US-Iran talks.
- Europe, Middle East, and Africa face the highest threat of state-based conflict in the coming year.
Why It Matters
This shift could reshape global alliances, investment flows, and the center of gravity for economic growth.