In a recent speech, China's highest-ranking diplomat, Wang Yi, spoke of a 'united Asia' and its need to develop a “strategic autonomy”.
In principle, Wang was not wrong; after all, a stable and prosperous Asia would benefit the peoples of the region and would deny Western meddlers the chance to exploit historical fault lines and sow the seeds of political division.
Wang's language, although from the outside may seem simple and straightforward, is quite loaded with meaning. “No matter how blonde you dye your hair, how sharp you shape your nose, you can never become a European or American, you can never become a Westerner,” Wang said, as cited in Chinese state media.
In fact, common culture, beliefs and origins have historically served as starting points of regional cohesion, unity, and collective identity.
