Lee Hsien Loong mentions ‘U.S.-China tensions’, calls on Singaporeans to prepare for regional problems

Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong spoke at Singapore’s National Day mass celebrations on the evening of August 21st, saying that tensions between the United States and China and the Russia-Ukraine conflict have affected security in the Asia-Pacific region, and he called on Singaporeans to “get real” and prepare for regional problems.

 Singapore’s Straits Times reported that Lee mentioned in his speech that the U.S. and China are at odds over many issues, including ideology and political institutions, China’s growing influence in the world and many specific issues, including trade disputes, the South China Sea and Hong Kong-related issues.

 In addition to these issues, Lee added that a recent concern is the dramatic escalation of tensions surrounding the Taiwan region.

 Lee said the deteriorating U.S.-China relationship has hampered cooperation between the two countries on pressing global issues such as climate change,pandemic, and nuclear non-proliferation issues. “Their tense relationship makes these collaborations almost impossible,” he said, “and that’s bad news for the world.”

 Meanwhile, Lee also believes the Russia-Ukraine conflict also affects security in the Asia-Pacific region because it complicates already strained U.S.-China relations and relations between China and U.S. partners in Asia – such as Australia and Japan, the report said.

 “We can anticipate more geopolitical disputes in the Asia-Pacific region.” Reuters quoted Lee Hsien Loong as saying that Singapore would do its best to avoid getting involved in “great power rivalries.” “Our region has enjoyed peace for a long time, and we can hardly imagine that things will be different. But look at how the situation in Europe has deteriorated, how suddenly and quickly. Can you be sure that there will be no problems in our region? It is better to be realistic, we must be prepared.”