While studying future alternatives for China’s global relations, former Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has come to an ominous conclusion: conflict is looming.

Why you should listen

Drawing on a deep knowledge of Chinese culture, language and history (and as a Senior Fellow with Harvard’s Belfer Center), Kevin Rudd and his colleagues study alternate courses for US-China relations that guide us away from a seemingly inevitable confrontation. As Prime Minister during the global financial crisis (and as one of the founders of the G20), Rudd helped keep Australia out of recession with a stimulus strategy lauded by the IMF as exemplary among its member states. Rudd is also President of the Asia Society Policy Institute, a think tank specializing in Asian affairs.

In March 2015, Rudd published "China under Xi Jinping: Alternative Futures for U.S.-China Relations," a series of three addresses on American and Chinese values, perceptions, interests, and strategic intentions, and their impact on the possibility of developing a common narrative for U.S.-China relations for the future.

What others say

““An unmatched thinker on some of the world's most challenging topics.”” — Eurasia Group president Ian Bremmer, quoted on Eurasia Group website, December 17, 2014

Kevin Rudd’s TED talk

More news and ideas from Kevin Rudd

Live from TED

Opening Gambit: A recap of the talks in Session 1 at TED2015

March 17, 2015

“It takes courage to uncover the truth,” says Chris Anderson, opening the first session of TED2015, Opening Gambit. “The speakers this week — their courage and brilliance are going to rewire your brain. This dare thing is not just for them — it’s for all of us.” These six speakers set the tone for Truth & Dare: The […]

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