Asia and asymmetry

Professor Brantly Womack's presentation uses a historical and comparative perspective to analyze the different cultures of international relations between the West and the East across various historical periods.

Accordingly, in the East, asymmetrical international relations existed, while in the West, competitive relations prevailed. Specifically, in the East, especially Asia, China emerged as a stable center with the largest population, resources, and territory compared to other countries and regions. China's policy was one of adaptation and compromise to gain the submission of smaller countries, most notably through tribute. In contrast, the West lacked a stable center; instead, it was characterized by variability, change, and flexibility. In the West, kingdoms competed and waged wars against each other to gain central dominance. Therefore, it was difficult for a fixed center like China to emerge, leaving only the Mediterranean as a crossroads of trade and colonialism among nations.

Professor Brantly Womack giving a presentation (Photo: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Quang Minh)

This trend continued until 1500. After this point, modernization emerged, accompanied by technology and warfare, but also bringing with it a culture of competition and destructive realities, most clearly demonstrated in the 20th century with World Wars I and II. However, the competitive trend somewhat diminished during the Cold War as both superpowers, the US and the Soviet Union, feared a costly war. Simultaneously, in Asia, there was strong resistance to colonialism, leading to independence and decolonization movements in smaller countries. After the Cold War, in the West, the United States emerged as the dominant superpower, while in Asia, an asymmetrical trend formed with the dominance of China.

Up until the 21st century, the trends of competition and dominance have diminished as globalization has fostered cooperation. The 2008 economic crisis caused the United States to lose its dominant position, while China has increasingly emerged as the most influential country in Asia with its overwhelming population and wider sphere of influence. However, China cannot impose its dominance on other countries but will maintain a stable, asymmetrical order. Simultaneously, it will compete with the United States not through war or confrontation as in the Cold War, but through peaceful and cautious competition. Both countries will be the center of the world in the future, but neither will control nor dominate it.

During the presentation, Professor Brantly Womack asked many questions, such as China's internal threats, the future world order, Vietnam's response to China-US relations, and the roles of India and Japan in Asia's asymmetrical relations.

Professor Brantly Womack is a lecturer in International Relations at the University of Virginia and an expert on China and Vietnam. He is the author of the renowned book "China-Vietnam: Asymmetric Politics," which provides a detailed account of China-Vietnam relations in the new era.