The Warmth of a Global Security blanket.

MODERN, imperialistic Western political discourse has made the impression that the word “security” immediately implies martial or military security, hence the constant “security and defense” alliances.

Security has an original meaning that defines it as “the state of being free from danger or threat,” and the greatest example of what provides this sense of security is the love and protection of parents, family and community for a child to provide food, shelter, the warm embrace of love and safety.

The irony of the West’s definition of “security” as a basically military condition is that in its obsession it creates the very insecurity that has plagued the world and the human race since the rise of the West in the ‘Age of Imperialism and Colonialism,’ which it seeks to extend into this 21st Century.

Fortunately for the world today, Asia in the East is rising and offers its philosophies and vision, from China to India, as well as roadmap and human geopolitical infrastructure for such comprehensive and global human security embracing all nations and peoples.

Are you aware of the Bo-ao Forum for Asia just held in Hainan Island province of China? If not read through to this short report.

In the recent Bo-ao Forum for Asia (BAFA) joined by 3,000 Asian and global leaders from different fields, China’s President Xi Jinping reiterated the Global Security Initiative summed up in his messages to BAFA through the years:

“In promoting this initiative, China will follow the principle of wide consultation, contribution and shared benefits. The programs of development will be open and inclusive, not exclusive. They will be a real chorus comprising all countries along the routes, not a solo for China itself.” (2015)

“China will work with its partners to develop the Belt and Road (BRI) into a model of cooperation for meeting the challenges through unity, a model of health for protecting the people’s safety and well-being, a model of recovery for restoring economic and social activity, and a model of growth for unlocking development potential.

“Through high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, we will contribute to a community with a shared future for mankind.” (2020)

While the West is consistent in adding fuel to the fire that is the Ukraine War and seeks to drag the world down with it, China is refusing to add fuel to the fire of global insecurity and presses on its focus on promoting Peace, Development and Prosperity for global unity against hunger, disease, ignorance and conflict – through the Belt and Road Initiative.

The Global Security Initiative proffered by Pres. Xi is the ultimate security blanket for mankind in this insecure period of humanity.

I pick up the term “security blanket” from the cartoon “Charlie” and one character Linus who clings to a blanket for comfort, reassurance and happiness. A blanket keeps a child warm and provides a hiding place when in fear.

The Global Security Initiative as everything else that it falls under means, from the BRI to the vision of a “Community of Shared Future for Mankind” enunciated since 2013, aims at building that world of permanent peace and prosperity for all of humanity. This was a historic shift from just “nation-building” to focusing on the welfare of the “whole of mankind.”

I feel like a loner in the Philippine intellectual circles in repeating this mantra of the “Community of Shared Future of Mankind” and its portending of the end of 500 years of human insecurity and the coming of 500-years of peace and prosperity for all.

Can you imagine this future at all?

It is indeed not easy to imagine or visualize that today, to dream of a world without conflict and war.

In 2021 one major war just ended. After twenty years of fighting, killing, bombing and destruction the U. S. suddenly left Afghanistan to its own devices. As soon as it left Afghanistan, the U.S. instigated another “forever war” in Ukraine and devastating the world economy in its continuing wake, raising fuel and fertilizer prices sky high that left billions of the poor poorer than ever before.

These world-impacting wars has been the story of humanity since the rise of Western colonialism and imperialism 500-years ago in contrast to conflicts previously that affected only localities of the world.

Technology, the greatest gift of human capabilities, was employed preeminently for wars and domination and not primarily for human development.

We must learn to think in epochs as the great civilizations and thinkers do, as China does and as genuine Marxists, socialists and humanitarians do which makes us bigger than individuals with finite lives.

We do this for our generation of children whom we will never meet but will know we left a better world for them all.

(Samahan si Ka Mentong Laurel atbp. sa “Power Thinks” Miyerkules @6pm Live Global Talk News Radio (GTNR) sa Facebook at Talk News TV, You Tube; at tuwing Linggo 8 to 10am sa RP1 738khz AM radio.)