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S’pore Hopes China & US Will Become Friends Again So We Won’t Be Forced To Choose Sides

2021-09-15 , 2:40 pm

While it is inevitable for major powers to be in competition for their own national interests, it doesn’t mean that the competition cannot be constructive. In fact, it would be the best-case scenario if that happens, as constructive competition could turn into cooperation as well.

The US-China tensions have been going on for a while now, and it is obvious that it has caused some unease among countries within the region.

And since Singapore is an ally to both countries, it feels like we are being forced to pick sides.

China Open to Having a Cooperative Relationship with US

During a joint press conference at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Tanglin with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan shared his views on the tensions, and said that he hopes that both China and the US would be able to “find a modus vivendi in the conduct of their relations, open channels of communication, manage tensions and frictions as and when they arise, and find a way to move forward despite their differences”.

Mr Wang said that China is seeking a cooperative relationship with the US, and they hope to be seen as an equal, especially since they both have “strategic interests in this region, and are key economic partners with all members of ASEAN”.

In relation to the recent phone call between Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Joe Biden that was welcomed by Singapore, Dr Balakrishnan remarked that Singapore hopes these discussions will continue to help build a “healthy relationship between the two powers”.

It is important for both major powers to coexist peacefully, as it will not only bring about major benefits to both of them but for all regions in ASEAN as well.

Diplomatic Competition?

During the joint press conference, both Foreign Ministers were asked about the recent visits of US Vice-President Kamala Harris and Mr Wang to Singapore. Reporters asked if this was seen as a type of diplomatic competition between China and the US.

To this, Mr Wang simply said that some countries are still not used to seeing China grow this big and this fast. Instead, it has drawn concerns and even misjudgements towards the country, which will affect how bilateral relations are further developed.

Mr Wang hopes to remind all countries, including the US, that other countries have the right to develop and grow as well. This right is not limited to the US.

Multilateral Cooperation

With the current COVID-19 situation and the uncertainty of the future, both ministers believe that it would be in everyone’s best interest if all countries worked closely together.

Mr Wang mentioned that China is committed to having multilateral cooperation, and believes that the zero-sum approach of the past should be removed.

He remarked that it is unfair and unethical if one or a few developed countries continued to rise in power and economic status while other countries remained in poverty.

As such, it is necessary for all countries to put aside their differences and collaborate. One of the ways to improve diplomatic ties between ASEAN and China is through the 24th ASEAN-China Summit that will be held at the end of this year.

Solving Conflicts Amicably

Instead of being forced to pick a side, Dr Balakrishnan said that both China and the US know that all of them are “good, long-term, all-weather friends”.

While Dr Balakrishnan and Mr Wang have known each other for six years, there were times where conflicts still arose. Luckily, they have been able to solve many of their issues amicably. Dr Balakrishnan hopes that this would continue into the future.

He also hopes that both China and the US will be able to work out their differences and continue to cooperate amicably with the basis of mutual respect on the equality of countries alongside Southeast Asia.

All in all, it was a fruitful discussion between both China and Singapore regarding international and regional developments, and both countries were able to reaffirm their “longstanding ties”.