AN ASIAN resurgence is around the corner, notwithstanding the sluggishness in global growth and persistent geopolitical rivalries.

The upbeat assessment was delivered at The Straits Times Global Outlook Forum yesterday by Professor Kishore Mahbubani, dean of the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy and a long-time chronicler of Asian affairs.

Asia is about to enter a “new golden era of peace and prosperity” over the next 10 years, Prof Mahbubani said in his keynote speech before a 400-strong audience of policymakers, diplomats, businessmen and academicians.

… China expert Li Mingjiang of the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies said he expected a gentler China ahead, after tense encounters with Japan, Vietnam and the Philippines over contested areas. “In the past half year or so, there has been serious reflection in China… You cannot win respect, you cannot expand influence in the region, without slightly changing your regional policy.”