After this round of confrontation between China and the United States, Lee Hsien Loong's latest views on China have risen to a new level.
Singapore's State Finance Minister Li Chen Long spoke at a forum in the UK about the views of Asian countries on China.
He said China is increasing its military capacity, but most Asian countries do not see China as a “security threat” but as a regional power with frequent trade, investment and personnel exchanges with other countries.
In Lee Hsien Loong's view, the reason why Singapore and other countries get along with China is very simple. When China prospers, other countries will prosper. This benign relationship should naturally continue.
At the same time, he also compared the attitude of Asian countries towards China with that of European countries towards Russia.
Lee Hsien Loong believes that based on the background of bloc confrontation in the Cold War, NATO is naturally hostile to Russia, so many people in the West will define Russia as a security challenge or even a "security danger."
And the Asian countries' view of China is obviously based on another level of logic.
Li Xianlong would compare the two things, naturally related to the occasions in which he was present.Due to the historical and cultural differences in the East, some people in the West do not understand why most Asian countries do not see China as a threat.
Regarding this question, Lee Hsien Loong naturally wanted to explain the truth in a way that was easier to understand in the West.
From our point of view, he has said this very clearly, that is, that the Western people present cannot understand.
However, Lee Hsien Loong also mentioned several "exceptional" countries. His view is that the attitudes of Japan, South Korea and Australia towards China need to be analyzed on a case-by-case basis.
There are problems left over from history and maritime disputes between China and Japan; Australia is an alliance with the United States; South Korea is more concerned about China's attitude on the peninsula issue.
Even so, these countries need to maintain a stable interest relationship with China.
Apart from these few countries, the overwhelming majority of Asian countries' attitude toward China is relatively consistent in Li Xianlong's eyes, that is, strengthening economic and trade exchanges while managing bilateral relations.
In addition, Li also said a meaningful word that China is a "geographically objectively existing" great country.
At first glance, this word seems somewhat bizarre, is it in the eyes of some people, China is “fictitious”?
In fact, Lee Hsien Loong really has a doorway to say this. Because for some people in the West, although they do know that there is a country called China on the other side of the world, the long geographical distance and lack of contact make them have no real feelings.
If their leadership makes strategic decisions about China under this influence, there are obviously risks.
Lee Hsien Loong emphasized that China "exists objectively geographically." In fact, he wanted the Westerners present to bring them into the perspective of Asian countries such as Singapore and understand the importance of China to neighboring countries.
It can be seen that Lee Hsien Loong is obviously prepared for this forum.
Of course, when talking about state-to-state relations, it is inevitable to talk about differences. In fact, Lee Hsien Loong also touched on this aspect when discussing topics related to China this time.
In this regard, his attitude is relatively frank.
Lee Hsien Loong mentioned that there are indeed disputes between China and some Asian countries, such as the South China Sea issue. However, this dispute will not be linked to "life and death".
In addition, he also conveyed other meanings, that is, he didn't want to choose sides among big countries.
Objectively speaking, the overall tone of Li Xianlong's speech about China is still more practical, and it also shows that he has a clearer understanding of related issues.
Although he is no longer the Prime Minister of Singapore, some practices can still bring positive factors to China-Singapore relations.
In June this year, Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong visited China. Not long ago, high-level Chinese officials visited Singapore and witnessed the exchange of a number of cooperation agreements. Taking advantage of the opportunity of the 35th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Singapore, the two countries are continuously strengthening relations and cooperation.
At the same time, one of the new approaches has also attracted the eye of the outside world, i.e. made a statement closer to China's position on the Taiwan issue.
Singapore's Foreign Ministry confirmed that during the meeting with the Chinese side, the government of Singapore insisted on adhering to the one-China policy and firmly opposed "Taiwan independence".
This even sparked anxiety among some people on the island.When it comes to who is worried, the answer is “to get in.”
As the Prime Minister and Senior Minister of Singapore have made relatively positive statements on the China issue, the development momentum of China-Singapore relations can also be better maintained.
Then let us raise the perspective, linked to the current international situation, there may be a different direction of interpretation.
In international relations, Singapore can be described as a "wind vane" role, and its national interests require them to keep abreast of the changes of the international situation. It is the general trend that Singapore now chooses to actively strengthen its relations with China.
In combination with the background of the Sino-American game, Singapore's approach, especially the remarks of Li Xianlong that he did not want to choose the side team, also released a strong signal.
On the whole, as Lee Hsien Loong told the West, China is a big country that "exists objectively geographically". Singapore has accepted this reality. I just don't know if other countries in Asia and even other regions have recognized this.