Taiwan the ‘most dangerous flashpoint’ in US-China rivalry, Singapore’s PM Lee Hsien Loong says
- In an address to parliament, Lee reiterated Singapore’s one-China policy and its continuous support for ‘the peaceful development of cross-strait relations’
- He said the outlook for US-China ties was ‘worrying’ but believed both sides were keen to avoid a direct conflict
In a speech heavily focused on foreign policy and the troubled state of geopolitics, Lee highlighted divergent views in Beijing and Washington about ties between the superpowers as among the ascendant risks for Singapore and the region.
While in Beijing there was a belief that the US was seeking to hold back China’s growth, in the US there was now bipartisan consensus that “China’s growing strength and assertiveness is becoming a grave threat to US interests and values”, Lee told lawmakers.
Describing Taiwan as the most dangerous flashpoint between the superpowers, Lee reiterated Singapore’s one-China policy and its continuous support for “the peaceful development of cross-strait relations”.
He said Singapore was “good friends with China and we are also old friends of Taiwan”.
Beijing regards the island as a breakaway province to be brought under mainland control – by force, if necessary. Many countries, including the US, do not officially recognise Taiwan as an independent state but oppose the use of force to change the status quo.
“China considers Taiwan as the most important issue and the one-China principle to be the reddest of its red lines,” Lee said.