Kevin Rudd ─ Understanding China under Xi Jinping

I have been an avid student of Chinese history but the presentation by The Honourable prime minister Mr. Kelvin Rudd is one of the best comprehensive and insightful summary of the Chinese public policies that have been presented in You Tube.

As a Chinese, I think Rudd has missed to touch on 2 very essential points in his main presentation regarding what shapes Xi's as well as Chinese people's worldview. 1, The so-called "Hundred Years of Humiliations" in the hands of imperialist West and Japan. These humiliations are so deeply ingrained in the Chinese collective minds in recent era that they not only affect the Chinese people within China, but also influence the Chinese people who have lived many generations outside of China. To understand what shape such Chinese collective mentality, you will have to dig into the history, traditions, philosophies, and cultures of China. 2, The collapse of Soviet Union has a profound impact on Xi's thinking (as well as general Chinese people's) regarding the future of not just the Chinese Communist Party, but the future of the nation as a whole. Xi once commented on the Soviet's collapse: when Gorbachev signed the death certificate of USSR and let the country splinter, it's so astonishing that not even one Russian was man enough to stand up against it! And Xi is determined, by all means, to not let this happen to China. To the collective mind-set of the Chinese people, the break up of the nation is a huge shame to be avoided by all means. Again, to understand this pysche, you will have to go back to China's history, especially after the formation of the first unified Chinese nation, the Qin dynasty in 221 BC.

Great speaker with great information and was not judgemental toward China. Love it. Thanks to Kevin and Watson Institute.

Well done kevin rudd good analysis, hope we can have you again as a PM :)

I like Kevin Rudd's lecture, but sometimes I have to listen to his sentence a few times to understand what he means.I have to buck up my English.

The smartest Prime Minister and Australia ever had.

Thank you for this video. As a recent 'China watcher' I find China's transformation post-Hu (Hu Jintao) both alarming and fascinating.

Historically, before WWII, Britain was the world dominant power. After 1776, the USA gradually took over. She focused on domestic economic development, and was contented to leave the world alone until December 7, 1941 with the Pearl Harbor attack. Since then, she began to play a more active role and gradually began to dominate the world. Initially, she tried to keep world peace. As economic profitability becomes more and more important, her focus changed and she becomes more arrogant & cunning at meddling in weaker countries domestic affairs or bullying countries for their oil or preventing them from developing into their own nations. China does not have a history of world domination. No one help China rebuild during her most difficult years (although Russia did) after WWII. By her own people's sweat, toil, and sacrifices, China managed to develop and her people's lives gradually improve. She sold products at very cheap prices so that developed countries' businesses can make profits off of her. Now that China has become stronger, the US realizes that she cannot order China about. Why should China or any other country need to listen to the US? Unlike the US, China desires to build economic co-operation, not political domination with countries friendly towards her. This annoys the U.S. of course.. China is a free country and so can develop militarily to protect herself. The 2nd amendment in the US Constitution protects and allows her citizens to bear arms. China have just as much right to bear arms too. Imperial Japan was like Hitleristic Germany. After WWII, despite Japan's constitution that prevented her to increase her military spending, she has consistently supported US political aggressions against China. We all in Asia remember Japan and none of us trust her, (not her politicians anyway) - nor South Korea, nor most Southeast Asian nations whose countries were occupied and our ancestors butchered. We don't forget these things. Depending on what the US President's agenda is/are, he either conveniently forgets about the American Revolution of 1776 or the 2,403 lives lost in the Pearl Harbor attack and drums up lies about this or that country so that his armament, oil or economically greedy buddy friends can profit from those lies and propaganda, ideally with the backing of U.S., Australia, New Zealand, Japan & France. What does this tells us about US politicians after WWII? Self centered, Machiaevallistic, prejudiced at will etc. who gives no thoughts about his citizens nor his allies' economic consequences. Still, countries like the U.K., Australia, New Zealand take the U.S. lead and do whatever the latter asks of them against China without thinking about the dire economic consequences their actions would bring them. China has no quarrel with Australia nor New Zealand. Why then does your politicians side with the US's attempt to bully China politically? When they do this, this is what you get. If your politicians are so foolish, to take those actions, have they negotiated with the US to reimburse you for the businesses you will be losing? Have they even think about this? And you would surely expect such consequences, right? If neither your politicians nor you have considered these factors, perhaps the people of Australia or any country for that matter, should start thinking: Must we always follow what the US says and do? How does it benefit you, benefit your business, your employees, & your country. If it doesn't, then the next step is to vote those people out, and vote in politicians who can think for your own country and you. There are so much lies out there about China put out by conservatives and Trump supporters. Can't you even tell truth from lies? Even that about the Uyghurs in Xinjiang. The World is changing. We don't need the US to be Big Brother anymore. They should solve your own domestic problems first. Focus on improving the lives of Americans living below poverty level& illegal immigrant issues, and the widespread Trumpet lies instead. ABC in-depth news videos too have continually helped to promote, distort and report lies to everyone .To the US, anyone who does not want to be controlled by Uncle Sam is always bad. Have you forgotten why your ancestors revolted against the British Empire back in 1776? Because the latter tried to control you. You didn't like it, So you revolted against it. China and many other countries feel the same way too. We in Asia don't want the US to control and tell us what we can or cannot do in this world. The World belongs to us all, not just you. ABC and other media outlets, politicians and even certain journalists in the US, UK, Australia, New Zealand along with other similar groups colludes to put China and other countries down. All these serve no productive purposes other than to prolong conflicts, continually causes inter-country disputes, inter-racial divisiveness and the deliberate instigation of deep hatred in humanity. Are you going to let these politicians and media use their skillful manipulation to promote their own interests, ruin your businesses or run your lives? Please be neither naïve nor quiet. Speak out in order that they may shut up. We want governments that will make positive contributions to her people and genuine friendships between countries so that this world can actually becomes a much better place.

why do they discuss about north korea's nuclear weapon; but not discuss US possesing nuclear weapon.

Man I really do love Rudd 😌 he is well acquainted with political science and China in general.

Kevin good analysis.

Kevin Rudd's Chinese knowledge amazes me. A truly Chinese scholar.

👍 Loved the talk Mr Rudd, learned alot.

Very insightful

So smart guy, Kevin.

the theoretical discussion was just amazing.

This is an excellent and justly celebrated presentation by Kevin Rudd. His remarks on the nature of dialectics are limited in their historical understanding, but his concrete demonstration of his area studies mastery expresses superior empiricism!

Kevin's mandarin is very good.

YOU ARE RIGHT, 知己知彼，百战不殆！

Even in question of unification of the Koreas, it is obvious that the panel takes the side of China!