00:00Amid rising geopolitical tensions and economic uncertainties,
00:05one of the central questions raised at the World Economic Forum in Tianjin is this.
00:10Is the Asian century at risk?
00:13Vietnam's Prime Minister, Pak Min Chin, offered a resolute response.
00:17Yes, Asia is facing significant headwinds.
00:20But just as clearly, he argued the region's opportunities remain vast and open.
00:26Our Lead Editor, Najib Arof, brings this report from Tianjin.
00:32One of the most pressing issues being focused here,
00:34can Asia still be the engine of global growth amid raising headwinds?
00:39Prime Minister of Vietnam gave his candid answer.
00:43Yes, Asia is facing difficulties and challenges such as inflation and geopolitical tensions,
00:49climate change as well as a demographic shift.
00:52But he was equally clear, Asia's opportunities are rising and expanding and wide open.
00:59Let's listen to what he said.
01:01Asia is facing major challenges and risks arising from geopolitical tension,
01:08protectionism, inflationary pressure, growth decline, natural disasters,
01:14and epidemics, especially after COVID-19, climate change, resource depletion,
01:20ageing population, social instability, cyber security and conflict, among many others.
01:28But does Asia have opportunities and good tidings?
01:33Another question.
01:33And the answer is yes.
01:37And not just yes, but also expanding and wide open.
01:45Given its geostrategic location, its vast and young population, its huge market,
01:52its strong economic growth prospects, its advancing middle class,
01:56and with poverty being increasingly a thing of the past.
02:01It also has an infrastructural, public service, finance and banking system
02:06growing from strength to strength, from maturity to maturity,
02:10an increasingly stable social framework,
02:13and most of all, Asia is endeavouring to advance in harmony with the rest of the world.
02:18And that optimism is not without reason.
02:21Asia today hosts more than half of the global population,
02:25a rising middle class,
02:26and fast-growing markets that continue to attract international investment.
02:30More importantly, stress that Asia's strength lies in its unity,
02:35acting in solidarity, and also leaving no one behind.
02:39With that, we close the curtain for World Met Forum,
02:43annual meeting of the new champions in Tianjin.
02:46See you next year.
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