Singapore PM walks fine line on China-US relations in Ukraine remarks
- Chinese observers detect a cautious approach from Lee Hsien Loong during his visit to Washington as he seeks to balance the two powers
- But his comments on Taiwan were ‘not appropriate’ and will do nothing to ease cross-Strait tensions, an analyst said
Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong revealed his cautious approach to China-US relations in his remarks that Beijing is in “an awkward position” over the Russian invasion of Ukraine, according to observers.
Chinese diplomatic observers said Lee was presenting Beijing’s position to his Washington hosts, while remaining true to US policy on the conflict, during a dialogue session organised by the New York-based Council on Foreign Relations on Wednesday.
Lee said the Ukraine war presented China with “awkward questions [because] it violates the principles which the Chinese hold very dear – territorial integrity, sovereignty and non-interference”.
“And if you can do that to Ukraine, and if the Donbas [region] can be considered to be enclaves, and maybe republics,” he said, before the moderator interrupted him to ask “what about Taiwan”.
Lee continued: “or other parts of non-Han China? So that is a very difficult question.”
Turning to the sweeping sanctions imposed on Russia by many countries, Lee said both sides would pay a high price as all nations were economically dependent.