Commentary: Obama's U.S.-centric thinking out of date

After the signing of the U.S.-led Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade deal among 12 Asia-Pacific states, U.S. President Barack Obama revealed a rather arrogant and outdated U.S.-centric mode of thinking.

"TPP allows America -- and not countries like China -- to write the rules of the road in the 21st century, which is especially important in a region as dynamic as the Asia-Pacific," Obama said in a statement Wednesday after the deal was signed.

He hailed the signing of the TPP by Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, the United States and Vietnam, as providing the United States an advantage over other leading economies, namely China.

This archaic way of thinking -- namely one where the U.S. is at the center of and dictates global affairs -- is obviously out of step in the present era.

With increasing global challenges including terrorism, economic uncertainty, cross-border crime and climate change, international issues need to be addressed through cooperation.

Therefore, an increasing number of countries are calling for a reform of the current global governance system to include more consultation. Developing countries have made it clear: they want more say and representation in international affairs.

In fact, against the backdrop of a sluggish economic recovery in Europe, Japan, and other developed economies, China and other emerging nations like the BRICS group have become powerful drivers of economic rehabilitation. China is now the world's second largest economy and its largest developing country and accounts for 30 percent of global growth.

Furthermore, instead of focusing solely on self-development, China has always sought mutually beneficial relations with other countries. Examples include the "One Belt, One Road" initiative and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, both of which provide opportunities for other countries to ride on China's fast development train.

As an active participant of global governance, China has maintained an open attitude towards the TPP. In fact, China's Ministry of Commerce said on Thursday the country will actively participate in and push forward regional free trade arrangements that feature high levels of transparency, openness and inclusiveness.

Chinese Commerce Minister Gao Hucheng said earlier that China is open to all free trade arrangements that benefit global trade liberalization and regional economic integration, as long as they are open and transparent.

With that in mind, President Obama should not make China out to be some imaginary enemy. Instead, he should be mindful of what he has already accomplished with the country.

During Chinese President Xi Jinping's visits to the United States in 2013 and 2015, Obama agreed to establish a new type of major-country relationship with China. The two sides made headway on climate change, the South China Sea, anti-corruption, cyber security and their bilateral investment treaty.

With less than a year in office, Obama would be wise to try and resolve any outstanding global issues through bilateral cooperation, not unilateral action.

If the president maintains a U.S.-centric mode of thinking regarding international affairs, his diplomatic commitments could fall short. Even worse, he could compromise regional and global peace. Endi