[Talk] Chinese & China – Megatrend of our Time
Join Thomas Brandt as he explores China’s rise, Sino-American rivalry, and the shifting global power dynamics in the Asian century. This event is hosted by Penang Institute and co-hosted by Malaysian-German Society.
Details
Speaker: Mr Thomas Brandt
Moderator: Clément Liang
Date: Wednesday, 22 January 2025
Registration: 7:30pm
Time: 8:00 – 9:30PM
Venue: Conference Hall, Penang Institute
Note: Entrance to this event is free.
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ABSTRACT
Since the turn of the millennium we live in an Asian century and China remains THE megatrend of our time. In the last 25 years, the country has become the most important economic partner of the USA, EU, Germany, Japan, ASEAN and Malaysia, of 124 countries. It has already overtaken America in many areas and is probably the most influential nation in the world today. China is also part of an even larger whole the phenomena of the global overseas network “The Chinese”.
The Sino-American rivalry shapes our world, the cards are reshuffled with an obvious shift from the West to the East and global South. It brings good and bad: positively “Friend-shoring” as the superpowers and their allies reach out to other nations and compete to make them their new allies. But it also brings many worrisome developments, especially the misuse of social media as one of the most dangerous weapons of our time. Geopolitically initiated propaganda and bashing initiatives create narratives to fool the ordinary and divide the world.
Motivation enough for Thomas, Asia expert, multiple bestselling author, who has spent his life building economic and cultural bridges between Germany, Europe and Asia, to tackle the topic.
Speaker
Thomas Brandt advises companies for over a quarter of a century on business in Asia; over 26 years in the management of German foreign Chamber of Commerce in Indonesia and over 20 years in Malaysia. He is a multiple best-selling author on China & Asia, coaches Malaysian tour guides on History, was a badminton veteran World Champion in China. Several years he focusses on the perception of Chinese & China, the megatrend of our time, to lessen dangerous geopolitical propaganda drives in the West and in the East.
Moderator
Clement Liang is passionate about foreign languages, history research, and conducting tours. With funding from the German Embassy, he started the German Heritage Trail of Penang, produced brochures, and placed signboards on buildings to mark the German presence and contributions in town since the 19th century. Clement currently serves as the Vice President of the Malaysian-German Society.