The 19th century: European countries “Europeanized” the world. In the 20th century, the world was “Americanized” by the USA. Now, in the 21st century, the world will be “Asianized”, especially post the corona crisis. China has taken the lead in building the Belt-and-Road, the new “Silk Roads,” across Asia and beyond.

While China will lead this initiative, China will not drive it alone. In my opinion, Asia as a continent will take this opportunity by swiftly turning back to the historical patterns of cultural exchange and trade that flourished long before the European colonialism and the U.S. dominance in the Pacific area.

By connecting five billion people not only through trade but finance, infrastructure, and especially digital infrastructure, this establishes networks that represent together about 40 percent of the global GDP.

Asia will determine its future – and when the Asian countries start collectively supporting their matters and businesses around the world, the Pacific century will influence the Western future as well.