…history shows that such conflicts often end up as open conflicts.
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto has said he is confident that the leaders of the United States and China, two countries who are currently at odds, will act with wisdom in order to preserve world peace.

"I think the leaders of these two conflicting powers are wise leaders. Surely they realize the weight that lies upon their shoulders," the minister remarked at the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) Shangri-La Dialogue 2023 in Singapore on Saturday.

Subianto said that over the course of history, whenever a new power has come into force and has been faced with a more established global power, tensions have arisen.

"And history shows that such conflicts often end up as open conflicts," he said in his speech, which was followed on the IISS's YouTube channel from here on Saturday.

Some people are of the view that the conflict has become a new kind of Cold War, he said. He opined that war, whatever it be called, always causes global destruction.

“Moreover, in the current era filled with development in science, tech, artificial intelligence, quantum leap, or other technological findings. In the current era, any power confrontation can lead to great danger," he elaborated.

The minister highlighted the observations made by some experts, who have said they believe that Indonesia will suffer for a prolonged period and die quietly despite not being involved in open conflict.

Subianto reminded that compromise is not exclusively an Asian tradition; it is the only way for people to live happily.

"Mankind's history shows that compromise and coexistence are the only (certain) ways toward welfare," he added.

Hence, he said he is confident that the leaders of the two countries will find wisdom in and learn from the long history of mankind.

He said that China has a long history, perhaps the longest ever on record. China was and will always be the biggest civilization, he opined.

Meanwhile, the United States is a big part of the West, which has brought mankind to better days through scientific breakthroughs, Subianto highlighted.

"Therefore, I believe that China and the United States' or West’s leaders can resolve this conflict by compromising and collaborating in a humane way so as to arrive at a peaceful resolution over the differences," he said.

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Translator: Gilang Galiartha, Mecca Yumna
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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