Opening up the Aug. 3-4 Aspen Security Forum, Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong warned of the continued tensions between the U.S. and China. He said that U.S. friends in the region do not want to choose between the two powers. “But here, when all of the countries in Asia and many of the countries in Europe have China as their biggest trading partner and America as a very major friend, and sometimes ally, to have to have a bifurcation means they’ve got to split down the middle of many societies, which I think is going to be very hard,” Lee said.
“No good outcome can arise from a conflict. It’s vital for the US and China to strive to engage each other to head off a clash, which would be disastrous for both sides and the world,” Lee told the 2021 Aspen Security Forum by videoconference.
Lee also stressed the difficulties the U.S. would have if the growing tensions should actually lead to a conflict. “I don’t know whether Americans realize what a formidable adversary they would be taking on if they decide that China is an enemy,” Lee said. “China’s not going to disappear. This is not the Soviet Union. It is not the Potemkin village front. This is a country with enormous dynamism, energy, talent and determination to take its place in the world again,” he said.
There are many issues, disputes and grievances on both sides, but the reality is neither side can put the other one down, he stated. http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202108/05/WS610b2525a310efa1bd666b1e.html
