Time to change diplomatic tact

THE emergence of Asia into the global political economy is phenomenal.
Asia is the largest continental economy in the world.
Comprising 48 economies, in 2022 their combined GDP (Gross domestic product) in nominal terms was projected to be around US$36.8 trillion (about K131 trillion), with China – US$14.72 trillion (about K52 trillion) second to the US in first place – US$20.89 trillion (about K74 trillion) and Japan – US$5.06 trillion (about K18 trillion) remaining third (source – Globalpeoservices.com).
It makes sense then that the Pacific, being right next to Asia, should emulate Asia and for Papua New Guinea to “Look North” as former prime minister Paias Wingti once told the gathering of Non-aligned Movement nations in Jakarta in 1993.
In order to do so, it makes sense to appreciate the magnitude of what has happened from a global perspective.
Asia’s emergence constitutes a change in the political landscape that promises immediate as well as long-term social, political, economic and security ramifications.
It is also permanent.
Since the collapse of both the Soviet and the Western empires around 1989, nothing has taken shape that can really replace the void left by the bipolar cold war empires.
In their place, regional groupings have emerged in the Asia Pacific such as Asean + 4 (Association of Southeast Asian Nations), Apec (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation) and the PIF (Pacific Islands Forum) that have mostly sought to promote wealth creation and promotion of trade over security considerations and geographical boundaries.
It is felt often among leaders of these organisations that a trade weighted strategy for the future will engender economic progress and national development.
This in turn will strongly promote regional harmony and ensure global peace and security.
Western ideals of capitalism centred around individual property rights have given way to the values that drive Asia and Pacific communities which are for more community or state led economic growth and social goals before individualism.
PNG’s “Wantok Sistem” is a case in point.
Organisations such as Asean + 4 and PIF comprise economies that are similar in outlook and have no problem formulating rules and strategies for the organisations to move forward.
Apec, on the other hand, is at the vortex of the old Western ideals and the Asian ideals, drawing the old and the new together.
Its membership draws from the Americas, from Asia and the Pacific. Every nation touched by the waters of the Pacific is included.
How to cater for such a diverse group is difficult.
It cannot be done with the ideals which the old empires once used to colonise the new worlds.
At the same time, the newly independent and fast growing economies have a will and a direction of their own and their ideals differ materially from the former’s.
This is the dilemma facing engineers of the emerging new world order.
As PNG enters into its bilateral and multilateral agreements, it must consider all this historical and cultural matrix that drives its various partners as well as the concerns of its own citizenry.
Only then can it formulate guidelines and rules for economic and political affairs and policy that will be acceptable to all, including its own citizens.
The Asian tigers and the emerging economies of the world will not take a back seat, they will not be dictated to or even to allow themselves to be policed, whatever the enticements.
This is the mentality that drives the rise and rise of the Asian tiger economies and emerging economies in the Americas and the Indian sub-continent.
More of the same has not worked and will not work.
The time has come to change tact if east and west will co-exist and prosper in peace and harmony. PNG must take cognisance of this and apply this.