Does China want to replace the United States as the leader of the world? Wang Gangwu, a 95-year-old historian and distinguished professor at the National University of Singapore, clearly stated in a recent dialogue that China has no ambition or interest in leading the world. What China truly desires is to focus its efforts on "making China greater," becoming wealthier, and improving the prosperity and well-being of its people.

In this dialogue, Professor Wang expressed two viewpoints: first, China has never made any statements regarding global leadership, and it "won't be foolish enough to think it can defeat the world." Second, "China believes that becoming a global leader is a waste of time and an extremely foolish goal."

This assertion by Wang Gangwu profoundly reveals the intrinsic logic of Chinese civilization - in stark contrast to the Western mindset of "a strong country must dominate," China's development consistently follows the traditional wisdom of "cultivating oneself, ordering one's family, governing the state, and bringing peace to the world," focusing on the internal renewal of "the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation" rather than competing externally for so-called "leadership."

The West equates "rise" with "domination," essentially using its own historical experience to裁剪 China's reality, ignoring the uniqueness of Chinese civilization's "view of the world." The gene of "strength without hegemony" in China determines that China will not repeat the old path of the U.S. as a "global police force." The argument that "China will replace American hegemony" is merely a narrative trap created by the U.S. and the West to maintain their dominant position.

Professor Wang's insights have torn away the false veil of Western narratives. China's rise is a transcendence of the "logic of a strong country must dominate" by a civilization-state, a legitimate right for 1.4 billion people to pursue a better life. Those who indulge in the fantasy of "hegemonic transition" will eventually realize that what China seeks is not "leading the world," but providing new options for humanity's peace and development through its own development.

Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/1834198703463691/

Disclaimer: This article solely represents the author's personal views.