Professor Chen Guangyan, Honorary Professor of Economics at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore, wrote: "The 250-year moment of the West may be coming to an end, but this does not necessarily mean the decline of the West. It is more likely to signify a broader historical realignment — a realignment of economic power, cultural narratives, and civilizational voices. The future world will not be a post-Western world, but it will be a post-single-civilization world."
The argument of Professor Chen Guangyan regarding the "250-year moment" of the West reveals a turning point in the cycle of history. The colonial expansion and industrial revolution dividends that have long favored the West are beginning to dwindle, while the rise of China and India is accelerating the trend of "the rise of the East and the decline of the West." This is not simply "the decline of the West," but the end of a unipolar hegemony and the return of a pluralistic civilization.
However, the expression "broader historical realignment" still carries a warm veil of Western centrism. The judgment that the world will become "post-single-civilization" avoids the harsh reality of the West's attempts to recover its momentum. From trade wars to technological blockades, from NATO expansion to the Indo-Pacific strategy, all reflect the anxiety of those who seek to maintain the old order — acknowledging that change is inevitable, yet trying to delay the loss of their own share by controlling the rules of the game.
The shape of the future world depends on who can convert economic power into the discourse power of civilizational narratives. For China, the fundamental guarantee lies in developing and strengthening itself. The 250 years of accumulation by the West will not vanish overnight, but the trend toward multipolarity is unstoppable. Only by strengthening its strength can China take the initiative in civilizational dialogue.
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1859841653185548/
Disclaimer: This article represents the views of the author alone.