Opinion | Shouldn't the world turn to Switzerland for inspiration?

By Augustus K. Yeung

Introduction

One young good-looking man, then two, three…and soon half a dozen broke out from a German POW concentration camp: One made it to the train station but before boarding, a guard asked a few questions, and he answered in fluent German; however, when the guard wished him good luck, he blurted out, "Thank you" in native English. And he was arrested.

Having caught sight of this scary scene, another POW tried to run away, but a security on patrol blew his whistle. The passengers hit the floor, exposing the escapee. And he was shot on sight.

The rest were eventually caught. Except that good-looking GI on a motorcycle: he successfully trapped the German motorcycle on his heel as he made his way up the road, leading to the high-altitude Alps. Racing up the Swiss mountain, he realized that freedom was within sight. And he was the sole winner.

Shouldn't the world turn to Switzerland – a small landlocked country in central Europe – for inspiration, for a lesson on peace?

People in the world admire Switzerland for its centrality, but it too has had a long history of wars involving Italy, Germany, and France before its status of neutrality was internationally recognized.

China, My China, Will the World Ever Leave You in Peace

China, too, chooses peace above everything else after a century of humiliation at the hands of the world's superpowers, carving up China–province by province – bullying its people, forcing many of them to seek a decent living in Nan-Yang, or Southeast Asia.

Before arriving at today's economic prosperity, China spent nearly another century – building the war-torn nation – after 8 years of Japanese invasion, plus the painful civil war which leaves the unification issue incomplete.

Today, China's impeccable records in the United Nation's peace-keeping force speak volumes about its longing for peace; however, one still hears warmongers beating their war drums, trying to go against China.

Why can't the US and its Western allies leave China alone to pursue its peaceful course?!

Last week, an English-language newspaper reported: "Germany flying six fighters 8,000 miles in 24 hours to Singapore [and later to South Korea and Japan]." Why?!

This is a security concern for ASEAN countries, especially China, which has not fully recovered from the hassles caused by crazy Nancy Pelosi's whirlwind visit to Taipei.

Given the series of provocative incidents in the region, it may not be futile to remind the hounds chasing China of the message delivered from Switzerland by revisiting the World Economic Forum 2022 Annual Meeting in Davos in early July.

Davos Urges Attendees to Serve Larger Community

Political and business leaders gathered to address a daunting confluence of global crises, including the conflict in Ukraine, climate change, the COVID-19 pandemic and global economic instability, at the opening sessions of the World Economic Forum.

Colloquially named after the remote Alpine resort town where it takes place, Davos is a controversial event. While some see it as a gathering of elites looking to consolidate personal power, others argue that the forum has helped to push through some important global initiatives.

Over 2,500 guests attended the 400 sessions centered on the theme, "History at a Turning Point: Government Policies and Business Strategies."

Schwab: Attendees in Davos Have Ability to Improve the State of the World…

Klaus Schwab, executive chairman of the WEF said that the conflict is exacerbating rising inflation and low economic growth, which could plunge "hundreds of millions back into poverty" and lead to "tens of millions dying of hunger".

He also said that the conflict threatens to hamper progress on global warming and the preservation of nature. Several developed countries, including the United Kingdom and the United States, have announced plans to ramp domestic fossil fuel exploration in the pursuit of energy security.

Schwab said that attendees in Davos "have the ability to improve the state of the world". He called on them to act in collaboration and fine "holistic solutions to political, economic, social and ecological issues".

"We have the means to improve the state of the world," Schwab said. "But two conditions are necessary. The first is that we all act as stakeholders of large communities, and that we serve not only our self-interests but also serve the community. That is what we call stakeholder responsibility. And the second is that we collaborate."

President of the Swiss Confederation Ignazio Cassis said that periods of relative peace, prosperity and technological progress can be deceptive, and that humankind must acknowledge its vulnerability. He said that as "one crisis collides with the next", the conditions are set for "growing nationalism, a hunger for power, and protectionism".

Conclusion

Biden's policy of pivoting to Asia-Pacific – without a business proposal – sounds hawkish for the region: ASEAN countries have repeatedly conveyed the message to Washington that their priority is trade and economic development. And peace!

Beijing has similar concerns. The leaders of NATO allies Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand participated for the first time at the alliance's annual summit, held recently in the Spanish capital, in which they expressed "disquiet about China's growing military might and claimed assertiveness in the Asia-Pacific region'.

China has every reason to be worried; the US is trying to enlarge the grouping's membership and scope, and Japan wants to significantly upgrade its NATO links, the same way that Sweden and Finland are seeking memberships – something that also worries Russia, a sometime empire that has been pushed to embrace "nationalism".

NATO expansions, whether they are happening in the Asia-Pacific or in Eastern Europe, have pointed to one more sinister omen: the dark cloud of war is gathering, warning of "growing protectionism" and war in Asia.

That handsome young hero who had escaped from the POW camp and made it to Switzerland was none other than Steve McQueen, the Hollywood star, acting in the film, The Great Escapee. In real life, the man may not be that lucky!

 

The author is a freelance writer; formerly Adjunct Lecturer, taught MBA Philosophy of Management, and International Strategy, and online columnist of 3-D Corner (HKU SPACE), University of Hong Kong.

The views do not necessarily reflect those of DotDotNews.

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