My whole family is involved in diplomacy, so you dare to flex your muscles?

The African representative who stood up was named Adkunle, from a country that is not very noticeable on the world map—the Lion Country.

As soon as he stood up, all the lights in the room immediately shone on him.

All eyes were focused on the man who had been silent for a long time.

The host, Mark, seemed somewhat surprised, but still professionally asked, "Mr. Adkunle, is there anything you'd like to say?"

Adkunle didn't answer immediately. He first glanced at the voting ballot on the big screen, which was still fiercely contested, and then his gaze fell on Gu Yun. He bowed deeply and solemnly.

This move stunned everyone.

Gu Yun was also somewhat surprised. He smiled and nodded at Adkunle.

Adkunle straightened up and picked up the microphone in front of him.

His voice wasn't as clear and articulate as those of the Western representatives; it carried a heavy accent, but it was exceptionally loud and sincere.

"Professor," he said, not looking at Gu Yun, but staring directly at Hamilton on the judges' panel, "you said before that you wanted the world to judge who is a friend and who is an enemy."

"Now, I want to tell you our answer as an African."

He paused, took a deep breath, as if recalling something.

"My homeland, the Lion Country, was a colony of the British Empire a hundred years ago." He glanced at Charles, whose face was grim.

"You've dug diamonds out of our land and taken away gold, but you haven't left us a decent road or a decent hospital."

"Fifty years ago, we gained independence. Then, you, the beacon of light, came along." He turned to Scott.

"Your companies, colluding with our corrupt warlords, continue to exploit our mines. You brought Coca-Cola, you brought Hollywood movies, but you also brought turmoil and poverty. Your capital is like a pump, draining our nation dry."

"Twenty years ago, a terrible plague broke out in my hometown. We appealed to the world for help. Your charitable foundation came with reporters and cameras, distributed a few boxes of expired medicine, took pictures, and left. Meanwhile, our people died in despair."

Adkunle's voice trembled, not from fear, but from anger and sorrow that had been suppressed for too long.

The studio was deathly silent.

Many of the representatives from Asian, African, and Latin American countries lowered their heads, their fists clenched in empathy for the humiliation they felt.

"But ten years ago, the Chinese came."

Adkunle's voice suddenly rose in pitch.

"When they came, they didn't carry guns, they didn't bring Bibles, and they didn't point fingers at us from a superior position."

"They brought engineers, architectural blueprints, and medical teams."

"They asked us, 'Friends, do you want to build a road?' We said yes, and so a modern highway connected our capital and port."

"They asked us, 'Friends, do you need electricity?' We said yes, and so a huge hydroelectric power station was built on our largest river, lighting up our homes."

"When the new virus struck again, it was still them who immediately sent the best doctors, brought the most effective drugs, and even helped us build a modern disease control center! They didn't ask us to open our markets, didn't ask us to change our laws, and certainly didn't ask us to exchange our mines for them!"

"They only said one thing: 'Because we are friends.'"

Adkunle's eyes welled up with tears as he spoke.

He suddenly turned around to face Gu Yun and the bright five-star red flag.

"So, Mr. Scott, Professor Hamilton!"

"You ask me whether China's rise is an opportunity or a threat?"

"I'll tell you!"

"When a country is willing to genuinely help you develop your economy, improve your livelihoods, and respect your sovereignty and choices, that's not a threat; it's an opportunity we've been dreaming of!"

"When a friend reaches out to you and saves your life when the whole world has abandoned you, that's not a threat, that's hope!"

"I, Adkunle, on behalf of my homeland, the Lion Kingdom, and on behalf of the millions of brothers like us, groping in the dark and yearning for development, solemnly cast this vote!"

"I choose—opportunity!"

boom!

Adkunle's heartfelt speech was like a bombshell, exploding in the hearts of audiences around the world.

Immediately afterwards, as if it had been pre-arranged.

On the other side of the contestants' seats, a female representative from South America with a ponytail stood up.

"My name is Isabella, and I come from the country of Amazon. Our country was once deeply harmed by 'neoliberalism,' and the people suffered greatly from the 'shock therapy' of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund."

It was China that became our largest trading partner. They bought our beef and our minerals, giving our people jobs and dignity. I, too, chose opportunity!

Another representative from Southeast Asia, with dark skin, stood up.

"My name is Nguyen Van Hung, and I come from the Mekong River country. We are neighbors with China, and while we've had our share of friction, we've also cooperated a great deal. The Belt and Road Initiative has given our landlocked country a railway to the sea."

Those who talk about a "debt trap," come to our country and see for yourselves the people who have been lifted out of poverty by the railways—are they happy? I choose opportunity!

"I come from a Central Asian steppe country, and I choose opportunity!"

"I come from a Pacific island nation, and I choose opportunity!"

"I……"

One after another.

Those who had been "silent majority" in the debates before now stood up one by one.

Their voices converged into an unstoppable torrent.

The red energy bar on the big screen, amplified by these sounds, began to launch a furious counterattack!

They've overtaken them!

In the final minute before the voting channel closed, the red energy bar overtook the blue energy bar with overwhelming force!

Moreover, the gap is widening!

Finally, the numbers were displayed.

Opportunities: 57%

Threat: 43%

Won!

In the global arena dominated by the Western world, and on the carefully crafted agenda, Gu Yun and his China won this vote on "the hearts and minds of the people"!

Scott stared blankly at the glaring red number, feeling as if his worldview had collapsed.

Professor Hamilton stared, unable to utter a single word.

Their proud hegemony over public opinion appears utterly vulnerable in the face of irrefutable facts and the most basic emotions.

Gu Yun looked at the representatives who stood up to support him and a sincere smile appeared on his face.

He bowed deeply to them.

He knew this was not a victory for him alone.

This is a victory for all nations and peoples who no longer wish to be enslaved or bullied.

However, just as everyone was immersed in this historic moment, Scott, the elite of the United States who had been cornered, suddenly let out a hysterical roar.

"Opportunity? Friends?"

His eyes were bloodshot as he pointed at the representatives who supported China, looking almost frantic.

"You're wrong! They're not friends! They've been bought off with money!"

"China is using its money to buy your loyalty! They are engaging in a new era of colonialism! You took their money today, and you will have to pay for it with your sovereignty tomorrow!"

"This is not an opportunity at all; it's the world's biggest debt trap!"