
Dr Parag Khanna prescribes that the new world order is no longer a choice between the US and China.
There are probably a number of global developments that Dr Parag Khanna may have predicted, or analysed, but nothing would have prepared him for a world order that is currently preparing to undergo a seismic shift due to a virus. A passionate traveller for work and hobby, Dr Khanna is a distinguished global strategy advisor and an author, at last count, of six books. He lectures at international conferences and offers bespoke briefings to governments, leaders and corporates on global trends and scenarios, espouses on the risks and disruptions, market entry strategies and economic master planning. And it is from this vantage point that he took a look at China's unchecked ambitions which have now exacted a heavy toll on the rest of the world.
“China is most definitely feeling the heat. I base this on the response to the people who have been pointing out that China is being very aggressive with its propaganda and attempting to buy allies through the mask of diplomacy, or through their Belt and Road initiative nonsense, or the Debt Trap scheme, because the majority of the world is here in Asia and everyone in Asia knows that it is a Chinese virus. Just because some Chinese diplomats go on twitter and try to say clever things in English, it doesn't mean that the majority of mankind is going to be duped by Beijing. So, of course, there has always been an element of suspicion about China. It was prevalent prior to the pandemic and this is another example which is only going to highlight China's global role,” he stated. While suspicions on China's post-COVID-19 operations abound, Dr Khanna cautioned that Beijing could not be isolated given they are the most trade connected country in the world today with the status of 'Number 1' trading partner with at least 120 nations. While insulating China has been a big part of the US's trade policy for some time the world simply cannot reduce their dependence on it.
A new global world order could, however, be drafted and all the signs are pointing in that direction. “It remains one where you have a very strong North America as an integrated continent with all the wealth, natural resources and a large, young, population. It has industry, technology and financial capital despite having a dysfunctional government, but it is still a superpower,” stated Dr Khanna.