China in Europe’s Future and Europe in China’s Future - A keynote speech by George Yeo

On Tuesday 23 May, the School of Transnational Governance officially inaugurated a fully renovated courtroom at Palazzo Buontalenti with a lecture by George Yeo in the presence of the members of the STG External Advisory Board.

Renowned diplomat and former Singaporean Minister of Foreign Affairs, George Yeo, captivated the audience at the School of Transnational Governance with a thought-provoking keynote speech on China-EU-US relations. The event, titled "China in Europe’s Future and Europe in China’s Future," shed light on the evolving dynamics between these global powers.

Watch the full recording of the event.

#China #US #Europe #diplomacy #peace #Ukraine
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The School of Transnational Governance was established in 2017 as part of the European University Institute in Florence. In the cradle of the Renaissance, we teach, train and learn by providing a platform where transnational policy actors across politics, business, civil society, media and academia meet. We are here for anyone with an open and independent mind, for thinkers and for doers. We bring together some of the best teachers, trainers and policy-makers from around the world. We believe the goal of public policy is to bring out the best in people.

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[thomasting]

Whole lecture without scripts and teleprompter. Wow. That’s actually how Lee Kwan Yew lectured too. Proud of being a Singaporean.

[laraw]

I first came to know Mr. George Yeo a few days ago through an interview he had in the STG series with Mr. Alex Stubb on YT。 I'm Taiwanese in my 40s and like the Chinese, we too studied 5000-year-old Chinese history through junior/senior high schools years (Not the new generation in Taiwan....as starting in 2012 or so, after the pro-independent party DDP in Taiwan took power, it changed the textbook content and unilaterally moved Chinese history into the World History section in the curriculum). So coming from this background with an understanding of Chinese history, with friends and family living/working on both sides of the strait, and having been wildly exposed to Western media's narratives, I concur, am thoroughly impressed, sometimes very emotional, by Mr. Yeo's understanding, interpretation, and thoughts regarding China's history, philosophy, and worldview.... because they resonate deeply. I also couldn't agree more with Mr. Yeo when he mentioned how Western governments take Taiwan as a chess piece and talk about/take Taiwan's future lightly and use it as a weapon to poke China simply because they can fit that into their political shows ignorance and disrespect, and total disregard for millions of other Taiwanese citizens who do not want independence, who aren't hostile toward China, and who aren't necessarily against reunification. Thank you so much, Mr. Yeo, for your contribution in raising awareness and understanding of China from historical and geo-political perspectives in the West... A multi-polar world is of such importance when the US sees China as a threat/enemy to their hegemony, all the while that all China much prefers is common prosperity.

[Diderot]

One of the top brains out of Singapore 🇸🇬. Very proud of BG Yeo. Prof Kishore, Prof Wang Gungwu and BG Yeo form the bedrock of modern day Singapore intelligentsia.

[JJ-iusr]

George is an icon for Singapore. He is brilliant and everything he said was back up with facts & histories.

[clement]

Mr. George Yeo was such a brilliant and courageous scholar and person. I proud of him for standing up for China and the Chinese people and will always be remembered by me, who by way is his fellow Singaporean. Mr Yeo, jiayou!

[tohhockann]

George Yeo is my choice for UN secretary General.

[xqcrpcp]

Singapore leaders are always so intelligent, knowing well about China and the west

[Alexander-nlxk]

As a Chinese, I am shocked that a Singaporean is so knowledgeable about Chinese history and our ideas, unbelievable！

[SWandG]

Mr George Yeo makes Singapore look so good as always. Thanks!

[tuesdae]

Do the European audience even understood the significance of what George Yeo meant by Xi JP and Ma YJ splitting the bill 50/50? It's such an Asian thing to squabble over the bill that it's of important symbolic significance.

[ホホホ-pf]

Great respect to Mr Yeo. it is amazing to see a Singaporean to talk about Chinese history. Frankly, you know much more history about China than most of the Chinese🎉

[kaimingraymondchoi]

I am glad that one of the audiences touched on the question of genocide. I would like to remind my friends to look up the history of Marshall Islands where United States ruthlessly committed mass genocide that nearly wiped out nearly the entire civilization.

[cheongwenpa]

I am not afraid of China attacking Taiwan. I am most concern if USA get its troops into south east Asia.

[minloo]

The lecture tried to bridge the China gap with entertaining and easy to relate language for Western audience. The depth and breath of knowledge presented was impressive: From China to Western culture, politics to legislative matters, religion to philosophical concepts etc.. Well done!

[reginaldflonoury]

Thank you Mr Yeo. Your a great speaker, an excellent historian on China, and yours words are greatly appreciated and needed.

[yongjiang]

Hat off to George Yeo, he is so knowledgeable and patient when educating the European's view on China.

[kaimingraymondchoi]

Yeo is truly impressive. He reminded me of Biden. Yeo spoke for hours without referring any notes. I don't have to tell my friends how Biden deliver his speech.😂

[taolin]

Mr. Yeo is a treasure, all world leaders should listen to this lecture. Sadly even if they did, probably won't make much of a difference.

[kangleonglim]

super impressed by his knowledge and deep understanding of the workings of the world. one of the greatest talent of singapore apart from LKY

[SwazzerProductions]

Insightful speech by George Yeo. Audience members also asked some very good questions. High quality forum all around!