Listen to what Asia might have to say

Let us listen more to others. After all, with unprecedented rapidity and scale, China ought to win some sort of global prize for so dramatically improving the economic lot of its 1.36 billion people. What the sprawling nation has accomplished in the last three decades is almost unbelievable - and probably unprecedented. On the tiny population end of the scale, of course, there is Singapore, which deserves some sort of global award for the best overall selection and implementation of national public policy over many decades. It has been some show there. The Philippines doesn't get much positive publicity, of course, but it has been making healthy strides, and resolutely deserves Washington's notice for remaining a democracy. Even the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, which has now dramatically released two captive Americans, finally looks to be considering joining the Asian parade. Indonesia is home to more Muslims than any other country - might not its new president be worth America's rapt attention on certain issues?

Huge obstacles threaten to derail the through-train to the future. The list - from the troubling unsettlement in Hong Kong (a situation which Beijing needs to negotiate further along careful lines) to the ever-present potential of religious extremism throughout the region - is long. But only one issue consistently merits top ranking. That is the relationship between China and America.

Sure, the governing elites of both countries should be able to maintain it at a minimum level - say, at least above the boiling point. But is that the best that we can do? Inspired statesmanship on both sides of the Pacific needs to raise the relationship to new heights. That's the real test for the governments in Beijing and Washington - taking it to the next level when many others seems pessimistic and tired and stuck in the past.

This is the challenge of our epoch. As far as I am concerned, the presidents of America and China cannot meet often enough. What's more important? Crossing into the frontiers of the 21st century means taking on the challenges of the new. The new now is the rise of Asia - led by China. It's rather obvious if you stop to think.

The author has written many books about Asia, from Conversations with Lee Kuan Yew to the current In the Middle of China's Future: Tom Plate on Asia. The veteran journalist recently completed a three-city lecture tour of China.