Can Asia Lead the World?

10 Mar 2025

8 Min Read

Professor Dr Ong Kian Ming, Pro Vice-Chancellor of External Engagement

IN THIS ARTICLE

Written by Professor Dr Ong Kian Ming, Pro Vice-Chancellor of External Engagement at Taylor’s University and former Deputy Minister of International Trade and Industry (MITI), Malaysia. He can be reached at kianming.ong@taylors.edu.my.

In 2002, Kishore Mahbubani, a well-known author and retired diplomat, wrote a provocatively titled book, Can Asians Think? which remains one of his best-selling works. One of the book’s central arguments is that Asian countries—and the region as a whole—should reclaim some of the global leadership roles that were lost to Europe and the United States over the past two centuries. Although Western media greeted this perspective with scepticism, many Asian countries found Mahbubani’s thesis both compelling and aspirational.

Rather than debating whether Mahbubani’s argument holds true, it may be more useful to explore how we can approach and attempt to answer this seemingly straightforward yet deeply complex question.

Defining ‘Asia’ and Its Diversity

Understanding whether Asia can lead the world requires grappling with the continent’s vast diversity. Spanning regions from the Middle East to South Asia, Southeast Asia, and Northeast Asia, the continent encompasses a wide range of political systems, cultural traditions, and historical backgrounds.

Even within Southeast Asia, the ten member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) exhibit significant differences in economic development, political priorities, and security concerns. Despite ASEAN’s achievements in fostering regional dialogue and trust over its 58-year history, it lacks the binding institutional structures found in the European Union (EU).

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), established in 1981 and comprising Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), is often seen as ASEAN’s closest counterpart in Asia. While the GCC has made strides towards free trade and financial integration, it could not prevent the blockade of Qatar by the UAE, Bahrain, and Saudi Arabia in 2017 during the Trump administration.

Similarly, the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), which includes India, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Afghanistan, has not convened an official summit since 2014 due to India-Pakistan tensions.

Flags of memebers of South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation and symbo

Even the definition of which countries belong to ‘Asia’ remains contested. Australia’s relationship with Asia is frequently debated, as is Turkey’s identity—caught between the cultural and political influences of both East (Asia) and West (Europe).

What Does It Mean to ‘Lead the World’?

Another layer of complexity lies in defining what it means to ‘lead’ the world. Leadership can manifest in various forms: economic dominance, political influence, military power, and socio-cultural impact.

From an economic perspective, Asia is already taking the lead in several sectors. China, the world’s second-largest economy, leads globally in renewable energy, critical minerals processing, electric vehicles, high-speed trains, mass manufacturing, and the adoption of e-wallets and super apps. Japan has long been a key player in multilateral institutions like the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and remains a leader in automobiles and high-end manufacturing.

Aerial view of the Shanghai financial district skyscrapers and the Huangpu river at sunset.

South Korea dominates memory chip production through companies like Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix, while also projecting global soft powerthrough K-pop bands such as BTS and Blackpink, as well as acclaimed films and series like Parasite and Squid Game.

India’s role in producing vaccines during the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted its importance in global health, and its shared service centres support the operations of numerous multinational corporations. Meanwhile, Singapore has established itself as a hub of soft power by hosting high-profile diplomatic events such as the 2018 United States-North Korea-Singapore Summit and serving as a headquarters for regional and international organisations.

Given the growing economic clout of China, India, and Southeast Asia, it is natural to expect that individual countries and corporations in the region will increasingly take the lead in both economic and non-economic sectors.

— Professor Dr Ong Kian Ming

The Underlying Question: Supplanting Western Dominance?

At its core, the question ‘Can Asia lead the world?’ often implies another: Can Asia supplant the dominance of the United States and Europe in shaping the global security and economic landscape? In other words, can Asia—and its leading nations—assert greater influence over global affairs, challenging the traditional hegemony of the West?

While the idea of Asian countries collectively asserting themselves on the world stage may seem idealistic—and perhaps even appealing to some—the reality is far more complex. Internal rivalries and geopolitical tensions within Asia often present significant obstacles. For instance, would India be comfortable with a more assertive and powerful China taking the lead? Would Saudi Arabia welcome the inclusion of Iran and Iraq into the GCC, despite the potential benefits of greater political and economic integration? How would North Korea respond to Japan expanding its military capabilities in the region?

A rear view of a businessman as he stands and looks up at three interlocking globes on the wall in front of him as he tries to sort out the mess of geopolitical events.

Beneath the surface, the notion of ‘Asian leadership’ reveals deep-seated fissures and long-standing grievances that are not easily addressed. These internal challenges may ultimately limit Asia’s ability to present a unified front capable of reshaping global power dynamics.

A Future of Diverse Leadership

Asia’s rising influence is undeniable. With China, India, Japan, South Korea, and Southeast Asia leading the charge in various economic, technological, and cultural arenas, the region is already shaping the world in significant ways.

However, the question of whether Asia can truly ‘lead the world’ as a cohesive entity remains open to debate. Given the continent’s diversity, historical complexities, and geopolitical tensions, Asia’s future influence is more likely to emerge through a mosaic of individual national achievements rather than a unified regional agenda.

In the end, perhaps the more relevant question is not whether Asia can lead the world, but how its diverse nations can collaborate, compete, and coexist to shape a more balanced and multipolar global order.

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