But there are always people deliberately inciting confrontation. Former Belgian Prime Minister: The World Needs Pragmatic Development Leaders | China | Prime Minister

Introduction

Former Belgian Prime Minister Yves Letem recently appeared on the "Connect Global Leaders Interview" program jointly launched by China Observation Think Tank and China Daily New Media. He stated that the current world requires a multilateral and pragmatic governance system to promote shared governance and power sharing, rather than ideological confrontation. The EU should strengthen strategic autonomy and maintain an open attitude towards China while defending its own interests. He also called on China and Europe to expand cooperation space and develop diversified partnerships in various fields such as economy, trade, science and technology, and humanities.

Eve Letham:

Reality always lags behind the ideals of politicians, but I believe we can try to step out of the current "balance of power" strategy adopted by the European Union. Currently, the hostility of the United States and some of its allies towards China is constantly increasing, while another group represented by China is forming. The escalating opposition between these two major groups is due to deliberate instigation of a confrontational narrative of "democracy versus authoritarianism" and "free market versus state-owned economy". In fact, today's reality is much more complex, and we need more pragmatic solutions rather than ideological confrontations.

Reality is, most of the times, different to what we dream as politicians, but my vision would be that we could, step by step, try to put aside this as much as possible -- this kind of balance of power approach, where you have a risk aversion of US and some countries that follow the US, and then a new to form block with China in the lead, where you have A risk aversion, artificially fueled by, for instance, putting into one against the others, the so called ideal governance of democracies versus autonomy, or free market versus status run economics Actually, the reality today is many more complex, needs many more pragmatic, rather than ideologically driven solutions

As for China Europe cooperation, I sincerely hope to adopt a more diversified approach.

And to come to your question, I would really please for a more pragmatic approach

I'm sure many countries prefer to remain neutral rather than join a certain camp. I believe that Chinese leaders have expressed an open attitude towards power sharing and should adopt diversity and multilateralism to achieve global governance; And American leaders have said similar things at least verbally. I think this is the correct way to weaken competition and binary opposition among major powers, and achieve diversified coexistence

I'm sure that there are lots of counties that are preferring to have a normalized position than just to join one of the two sides And I think that Chinese leadership, and also some things in words at the beginning, the American leadership, have phrased positions that are open to share power and to have a kind of multilateral pragmatic approach to world governance, to global governance I think this is the right way to have a pragmatic and less balance of power approach, less two sides antagonistic approach

I hope that through the recent statements of von der Leyen and Borrell, the EU can show its attitude that it will not become a "small follower" of the United States. Undoubtedly, in terms of security issues, the European Union heavily relies on the United States. In addition, there are many consensuses and commonalities between Europe and the United States in terms of values and social policies. However, we should maintain an open attitude towards other governance systems and policies. Therefore, when talking about the EU's position, I believe that the EU should develop strategic autonomy and become a part of global diverse governance.

I hope that the narrative was put forward by the European Union through the voice of Mrs. von der Leyen and Borell could also tender this to say we will just not be a junior partner of the US, to which we are very loyal in terms of our security needs, of courses, and we share lots of things with the US in terms of values and views on society But let's be open to other systems of governance, other approaches And so when it comes to position of the EU, let's develop our own position and be part of the pluralistic

For example, in the global governance system based on the G20, emerging powers such as Brazil, India, South Africa, Indonesia, and India can play a very important role in sharing governance, power, and solutions. In 2024, Brazil will become the rotating presidency of the G20, and I believe this may be an important moment.

For instance, G20 based global governance, where also emerging powers like Brazil, India, South Africa, Indonesia, India could play a very important role in sharing governance, in sharing power and in sharing solutions We will have, one of the next years, I think it's 2024, we have Brazilian leadership, the chair of the G20, I think that's potentially an important moment

Lastly, I have also identified some important signs of promoting governance diversification, such as the establishment of the New Development Bank by the BRICS countries, which provides currency options beyond the US dollar for international trade and global markets. I believe this is a good sign. I believe that joint governance and shared power are better than group confrontation.

Last element, I see those who are important in order to install a more pragmatic government I see it as a good sign that you have now this New Development Bank, that you have other currencies, trying to offer an alternative to world trade and markets to the dollar So I think sharing governance, shared power is better than this kind of antagonism between two blogs

Eve Letham:

To be fair and open, I believe that we have lost several years now, and it is time to adopt a new way of thinking. The European Commission has already put forward suggestions, and there are also some dialogues underway. As I just said, the EU should certainly defend its own interests. Foreign policy is more about interests than values. Past successful experiences have taught us that while defending our own interests, we should also open up to China, improve trade, scientific research cooperation, and exchanges.

I think to be fair and open, I think we lost some years now It is time now to come to a new way of thinking and the European Commission has put proposals on the table There are some good conversations going on. I would say, referring to an earlier response, that the European Union should, of course, defer its own interests Foreign policy is much more about interest than about values, but defer its own interests, but should also, like it has been in the past successful doing, we should be open to China, improve trade, improve scientific research cooperation, exchanges

I hope that once we better define our so-called "security interests" - we must certainly defend our own security interests, just like China, the United States, and other countries - once we better define "security interests", we can find enough broad space for cooperation.

I would hope that once we have better defined what we call our security interests -- fair enough, you have to defend them like China does and like the US and other countries do -- once we have defined them that we find sufficient space, vast space for cooperation

The last element, I believe, is that a country should not only focus on its organizational structure and leaders, but also pay more attention to its people. "The friendship between nations lies in mutual affinity between the people.". Enterprises, scientists, students, even families, and the tourism industry can all contribute to the communication between countries. I hope that China and the European Union can continue to increase investment in such direct exchanges.

Last element, I think that a country is more than its structures, institutions and leadership -- it's about people It's about improving the possibilities for people to exchange, companies, scientists, students, even families, tourism can help And I would hope that between China and the EU, we continue to invest in these direct exchanges

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