There is little to dispute about Asia's rise as a key feature of our time. Already the world's most populous region, Asian countries have steadily gained in economic and political influence on the world stage in recent decades. While in the past this development has been driven heavily by China, the next few years will see countries like India, Indonesia, and Vietnam expand their international clout.

As the balance of power shifts east, will the world order inevitably change? Asia is far from a monolithic actor, and for all the talk about an "Asian Century", there is arguably no coherent vision from Asia on how the global community should operate. And many countries, especially China, have benefitted from the current system, and might seek to adjust rather than replace it.

In this bonus episode of STATE OF ASIA, listen to four experts taking sides over the motion "Asia’s Rise Will Lead to a New World Order", as they did in an Oxford Debate in front of a live audience in Zurich on April 8, 2024.

Presenting clear-cut, time-constrained, well-thought-out arguments are:

• John Delury, a historian and a professor at Yonsei University in Seoul.
• Abigaël Vasselier, director for Policy and European Affairs and head of the Foreign Relations team at MERICS in Berlin.
• Julia Ganter, Programme Director International Affairs at the German foundation Körber-Stiftung and head of the Körber Emerging Middle Powers Initiative, based in Berlin.
• John Lee, director of consultancy East West Futures and a researcher at the Leiden Asia Centre.

Watch the entire debate on the Asia Society YouTube channel, and learn more about the speakers on our website.

Our Oxford Debate series offers insights into complex issues, presented in short and clear arguments. Find all editions here.

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STATE OF ASIA is a podcast from Asia Society Switzerland. 
Season 6, bonus episode 3 - Published: April 9,  2024
Host and Producer: Remko Tanis, Programs and Editorial Manager, Asia Society Switzerland