Saturday, February 1, 2025
I once wrote something in response to a friend’s question: How do you find time to write every day? Lately, I find myself repeating what I said then—the key to getting anything done is focusing on what truly matters.
This is especially challenging today, with countless social media platforms and an endless stream of news vying for our attention. If I scatter my time indiscriminately across various sites, consuming irrelevant information, I’ll have little left for what actually matters.
A Chinese saying that fits here is 专心致志 (zhuān xīn zhì zhì) – to concentrate one's mind and efforts wholeheartedly. It emphasizes complete dedication and focus on the task at hand.
One of my favorite U.S. presidents is Woodrow Wilson, a professor turned president. Named after him is a Washington, D.C.–based think tank, the 10th one in the world in 2020, the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars (WWICS). They consistently publish thought-provoking analyses, and one article, not new anymore, caught my attention: "China Is the Top Trading Partner to More Than 120 Countries."
The piece highlights China’s expanding role in global trade. China has become the largest trading partner for over 120 countries, including major economies such as Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, Taiwan, Russia, and even the European Union. This growing network underscores China’s increasing influence in international commerce.
The article notes, with a touch of nostalgia, the rise of China's role together with the decline of U.S. trade dominance. Once the world’s leading trading power, the U.S. now finds itself lagging behind in partnerships. This shift raises questions about the U.S. political will to build robust trade partners and agreements. For example, in 2016, both major U.S. presidential candidates rejected the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), signaling a retreat from trade leadership.
In contrast to the U.S. retreat, China has actively developed and strengthened trade relationships, securing its position at the center of global commerce. As more countries engage with China, the economic balance continues to shift.
The article paints a clear picture: the role once held by the United States is now occupied by China. Whether this transformation is temporary or marks a lasting realignment remains to be seen—but one thing is certain: the world is changing rapidly.