英文研讨会:《中国与世界:从古代丝绸之路到现代一带一路》
2017年5月28日(星期日) 上午9时30分,新加坡首个专注讨论中国"一带一路"课题的研讨会--《中国与世界:从古代丝绸之路到现代一带一路》,于新加坡希尔顿酒店三楼盛大举行。本次研讨会由南洋理工大学高等研究所、怡和轩俱乐部联办,我会与新加坡中国商会协办。研讨会历时7个小时,于下午4时30分接受,吸引了逾400名听众出席。研讨会嘉宾计有狄伯杰教授(印度尼赫鲁大学国际关系学院、中国与东南亚研究中心教授)、冯达旋教授(澳门大学全球事务总监兼校长特别顾问)、梁海明教授(中国丝路智谷研究院院长兼首席经济学家)、林大伟博士(新跃社科大学高级讲师、新加坡国立大学东亚研究所兼任研究员)、陈达生博士(国际郑和学会会长)和杜汉士(MLex亚洲高级记者)。我会会长潘国驹教授为研讨会主席。

狄伯杰教授分析印度面对"一带一路"倡议的机遇与挑战,讨论印度的海路安全顾虑,以及本身现有的项目议题。他认为,印度是世界大国,应该参与到全球的供应链体系中,与中国的合作也要在多边机制上展开。中印关系的发展走势,将会制定出世界新经济和政治秩序。

陈达生博士解析"一带一路"倡议对世界的影响,特别专注于海上丝绸之路,并分析了20、21世纪间,中美两国在国际舞台上的角色变换。虽然中国在各方面有追赶美国之势,但21世纪的和平与繁荣,在于中美两国的合作、发展,互利共赢。

林大伟博士则关注"一带一路"倡议的背景来源、制定细节、难题挑战,西方、国际媒体对"一带一路"的解读,以及中国倡议的亚洲基础设施投资银行。同时,也对"一带一路"倡议所面对的内部问题与外在挑战进行评估。

梁海明教授从理论体系解析"一带一路",提出了"遍在经济学/无处不在经济学理论"。这一理论之下,中国通过"一带一路"倡议,不断扩大与"一带一路"沿线国家的合作共识,以无处不在的经济合作模式,向全球经济发展、社会进步贡献中国智慧、中国经验,以此打造人类命运共同体。

杜汉士则主要关注中国海外投资,以及"一带一路"的挑战和影响。他认为,"一带一路"倡议下,项目多不胜数,个别的失败项目或难以避免,但从长远来看,"一带一路"有着值得期待的远景。

冯达旋教授则着重"文化相通"的概念,认为人与人之间、各国人民之间的交流相通,才能达致人的心理相通,才能实现"一带一路"的发展战略、推进"一带一路"的建设,实现项目落地。高等教育的普及、"全球连接"的新时代,以及欧亚超级大洲的形成,造就了全球新格局。为了"一带一路"的成功,中国必须加紧了解世界,特别是邻国印度,导致"文化相通"。

讨论与问答交流环节由冯达旋教授主持。对于新加坡在"一带一路"中所能起到的作用和角色,大家都一致认为,新加坡可以扮演起研究中心或智库的角色,集中研究中国"一带一路"课题,为"一带一路"的发展提供意见,协助建构模式、制定条规,甚至引领发展方向等,为新加坡本身,也是为全人类作出贡献。


Workshop - China and the World: Transformation
from Ancient to Modern Silk Road
On Sunday, 28th May 2017, the Workshop themed China and the World: Transformation from Ancient to Modern Silk Road was successfully at Hilton Hotel Singapore. The Workshop was jointly organized by SCFA, Institute of Advanced Studies of Nanyang Technological University, Ee Hoe Hean Club and Singapore China Business Association. It started at 9.30am and ended at 4.30pm, attracting more than 400 audiences. Speakers invited were Prof B R Deepak (Professor, Center of Chinese and SouthEast Asian Studies, Jawarharlal Nehru University), Prof Feng Da-Hsuan (Director of Global Affairs and Special Advisor to Rector, University of Macau), Prof Liang Haiming (Chairman and Chief Economist, China Silk Road iValley Research Institute), Dr Lim Tai Wei (Senior Lecturer, Singapore University of Social Sciences & Adjunct Research Fellow, East Asian Institute, National University of Singapore), Dr Tan Ta Sen (President, International Zheng He Society) and Mr Toh Han Shih (Senior Asia Correspondent, MLex). SCFA President, Prof Phua Kok Khoo was the Chairman of the Workshop.

Prof Deepak analyzed opportunities and challenges India facing in the "OBOR" initiative. He said, India's concerns are mainly the security dilemma over land and maritime security. But he believed that, the cooperation with China in the multilateral mechanism should be started. The development trend of Sino-Indian relations will formulate a new world economic and political order.

Dr Tan talked on the influences of the "OBOR" initiative towards the world, specially focused on the Maritime Silk Road. He also compared the roles of China and the United States between the 20th and 21st centuries. Although China is catching up with US in all aspects, the peace and prosperity in the 21st century are very much relying on the cooperation between China and US, for the pursuits of development, mutual benefits and win-win situation.

Dr Lim focused on the background, challenges of the "OBOR" initiative, and analyzed the Western perspectives and interpretations of international media towards the "OBOR" initiative. He also explained the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), followed by the internal problems and external challenges facing the "OBOR" initiative.

Prof Liang explained the "OBOR" initiative from theoretical perspectives, and introduced the "Omnipresence Economics" theory, that is, China's initiative to build the B&R expands on a collective consensus among countries along the route for mutual cooperation. The model of "omnipresence economics" allows China to contribute its wisdom and experience towards global economic development and societal progress, and work towards a community of shared future for all humankind.

Mr Toh focused mainly on China's overseas investments, as well as challenges and influences of the "OBOR" initiative. He believed that, among the many projects under the "OBOR" initiative, there will be normal to have examples of failure projects, but in the long run, the "OBOR" initiative has a promising future.

Prof Feng emphasized the importance of "cultural communication". He believed that the communication and exchanges between people is the key towards the success of the "OBOR" initiative, in implementing the development strategies and projects. He added, global trends such as popularization of higher education, era of "global interconnectivity" and the formation of Eurasian Super-Continent, creating a new world structure. China must understand the cultures of other countries, especially its neighbour - India, towards "cultural communication", and hence to archive success in promoting the "OBOR" initiative.

The Panel Discussion and Q&A session were chaired by Prof Feng. On Singapore's role in the "OBOR" initiative, the Workshop suggested that, Singapore can act as research center or think tank of the "OBOR" initiative, studying the initiative, providing advices, to build up a successful model, develop regulations, or even lead the development direction. It is for Singapore itself, but also to contribute to all mankind.