Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong emphasized the need for stable relations between the US and China while speaking at the Boao Forum for Asia.
BEIJING: Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong stressed that a conflict between the United States and China would bring dire repercussions not only for both nations but also for the world at large. Speaking on Thursday at the Boao Forum for Asia in Hainan, China, PM Lee highlighted the critical importance of maintaining stable relations between these superpowers.
“Big powers have a heavy responsibility to maintain stable and workable relations,” Mr. Lee remarked, emphasizing that any clash could lead to grave consequences for global stability. He pointed to ongoing tensions over trade, investments, cybersecurity, and technology, calling for the US and China to build sufficient trust to address shared concerns.
Addressing an audience of business and world leaders, including China’s Premier Li Qiang and Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, PM Lee underlined Asia’s potential for growth and stability. He noted that Asia’s future hinges on mutual cooperation and integration, especially in the face of disrupted global order due to the pandemic and geopolitical tensions, including Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
PM Lee warned that the divide in technology and economic systems driven by national security concerns is causing economic costs and heightening rivalries. He encouraged Asian nations to focus on economic partnerships and resilient relationships with each other, advocating for economic cooperation that insulates against political disputes. Highlighting China’s central role in Asia’s economic network, he underscored the importance of continuing trade relations with China.
With examples such as the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement, Mr. Lee cited intra-regional initiatives that build strong connections within Asia while linking Asia to the broader world. “Asia should remain open, fostering cooperation both within and with external partners,” he concluded.
PM Lee also met Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar on the conference’s sidelines, where they discussed bilateral cooperation, and he is set to meet China’s President Xi Jinping in Beijing before his return to Singapore.
