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Singapore also vulnerable to protests that have left Hong Kong at ‘breaking point’, minister claims
- Trade and Industry Minister Chan Chun Sing warned a similar situation could occur in Singapore if the government becomes complacent
- Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi also weighed in on the Hong Kong protests, expressing ‘strong concern’
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Escalating violence between pro-democracy protesters and police has pushed Hong Kong to “breaking point”, according to Singapore’s Trade and Industry Minister Chan Chun Sing, who warned a similar situation could “easily happen” in his country if the government becomes complacent.
Speaking to reporters from his offices in the city state on Monday, the trade minister said Singapore should heed the lessons from what has occurred in Hong Kong, especially while “Singapore’s relevance to the world is never a given”.
“Unless calm is restored, dialogue commences and constructive actions taken, there will be grave doubts about Hong Kong’s future and the sustainability of its current governance model,” local media reported him as saying. “What has happened in Hong Kong can easily happen to Singapore if we are complacent or not careful.”
Tensions in Hong Kong have run high in recent days as pitched battles between police and protesters on Monday led to raging fires, tear gas and flaming vehicles.
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A two-day siege at Hong Kong’s Polytechnic University has raised fears of a crackdown on hundreds of protesters who remain trapped on a campus surrounded by police.
Chan said political leaders should put the people’s interests ahead of those of the party, while governments should focus on long-term issues, not just “the here and now”.
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