According to the United Morning Post, on October 28th, Singapore State Finance Minister Li Xianlong, at a dialogue meeting held at the British think tank, expressed important views on China's role in the Asian region, and its impact in the global landscape.
Although China's military strength is indeed constantly increasing, most Asian countries generally do not see China as a "security threat", but instead see China as a major country in the region, and frequent economic trade, investment and personnel exchanges with it.
This interdependence determines that Asian countries 'attitude towards China is more inclined to cooperation rather than confrontation.
In contrast to this, Western countries, especially NATO member states, are clearly opposed.
Li has compared this attitude to Western hostility to Russia, saying that Western hostility to Russia stems from the background of group confrontation during the Cold War, while Asian countries’ view of China is clearly based on more realistic economic and geopolitical logic.
This cognitive difference not only reflects the profound differences in the history and culture of the East, but also reveals the strategic focus of different regions in current international relations.
However, Li also frankly pointed out the special circumstances of several “exceptional” countries, including Japan, South Korea and Australia.
Historical legacy issues and maritime disputes between Japan and China, South Korea’s concerns about China’s attitude on the peninsula issue, and Australia’s allies with the United States make these countries’ attitudes toward China even more complicated.
But even so, these countries cannot ignore their economic ties to China.
Li said that while some Asian countries are concerned about the South China Sea issue, it is not a survival issue, so they prefer to continue to maintain good relations with China and further strengthen economic and trade cooperation.
As a small country, Singapore has long pursued a non-alignment policy and emphasized neutrality in international relations.
Li Jinping has made it clear that Singapore does not want to choose a side team between China and the United States.
This position is not only in line with Singapore’s diplomatic tradition, but also reflects Singapore’s accurate grasp of its own national interests.
In June this year, Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong visited China and exchanged a number of cooperation agreements with senior Chinese officials.
Subsequently, high-level Chinese officials also visited Singapore, which further promoted the development of bilateral relations.
In particular, on the Taiwan issue, the new side has made it clear that it adheres to the one-China policy and resolutely opposes "Taiwan independence".
This position not only helped to consolidate the new China-US relationship, but also released Singapore's unique signal in the game of China-US.
As the Sino-US game continues to intensify, how Asian countries balance their relations with China and how to safeguard their own interests in the game between major powers has become the focus of attention of the international community.
Lee Hsien Loong's speech not only demonstrated Singapore's diplomatic wisdom, but also provided a perspective worthy of reference for other countries. How will China's geopolitical role in Asia evolve? Will the attitudes of Asian countries change? The answers to these questions deserve our continued attention.