One of the largest Asia-Pacific countries, the United States, is now experiencing an interesting period. The election of Donald Trump impressed almost everybody, no matter how to regard it. So it seems to be very appropriate to come together with leading analysts and colleagues, who reflect on the future of the Asia-Pacific region and operate in this area. In Singapore, we expect a constructive conversation, which will allow us to refine our ideas.
Why should the Valdai Discussion Club organize a conference in Singapore? First, to discuss the Asian issues, development of the Asia-Pacific region, challenges that exist in this region, problems, difficulties, prospects. This is not the first event of such kind for the Valdai Club, they have already become quite traditional. Generally speaking, such event summarizes a fairly significant activity of the Valdai Club in the process of study, understanding and analysis of the Asia-Pacific region.
This also applies to the understanding of Eurasianism, to the understanding of major problems of the world development, existing alternatives, and globalization. This is even more timely today, because one of the largest Asia-Pacific countries, the United States, is now experiencing an interesting period. The election of Donald Trump impressed almost everybody, no matter how to regard it. So it seems to be very appropriate to come together with leading analysts and colleagues, who reflect on the future of the Asia-Pacific region and operate in this area. Therefore, the conference will be attended by representatives of a large number of Asia-Pacific countries.
In Singapore, we expect a constructive conversation, which will allow us to refine our ideas. What are such conferences for? Of course, people write articles, produce thoughts and interact with each other in some way. Periodically, they have to meet and discuss the accumulated problems. During these discussions, the relevant processes occur in the minds of the people involved. Some of them have more vigorous, rapid and radical processes, while others - less. Anyway, they always happen, and it affects the further development of thoughts. Also, everyone wants to read not only posts on social networking sites, reaction to their own articles in various editions, but simply to hear it face to face, and to object immediately. Direct human communication continues, so what to expect?
We expect that these discussions will change and refine our understanding of what is happening. We are interested to hear and discuss the ideas of our colleagues, we are interested to understand and re-evaluate the train of thought that would be submitted and, accordingly, to give a proper assessment. We think that this will allow us to prepare and issue more accurate documents, texts, research papers, and articles. We hope that the texts issued by us will attract the attention of people who directly take political, economic and other decisions. Perhaps this will allow someone to invest better, understand each other better and discuss the problems of cooperation more accurately.
