It is ok for our gahmen to comment on other coutries' matters but not the other way round....
Admonitions and aspirations: Lee Hsien Loong on China-U.S. relations
As a vocal figure on China-U.S. relations, the Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong again called on the United States and China to de-escalate tensions at the virtual Aspen Security Forum. Lee's remarks served as a valuable admonition, which provide much food for thought for watchers of China-U.S. relations.
Admonitions
"The reality is, neither side can put the other one down," he made a resounding exclamation at the forum as he warned the two sides to avoid miscalculation and avert clashes. This judgement is indeed accurate. The Chinese understand that. However, for the Americans who are so used to initiating regime changes and making military conquests, it might be harder to accept. But a thorough reading of historical interactions between the two countries would help the Americans better appreciate the Chinese nation's capability and determination against outside invasions and interventions.
Another notable piece of advice is the warning of a self-fulfilling prophecy. He cautioned against the "formidable adversary" the U.S. would be taking on "if they decide that China is an enemy."
Guided by its hegemonic impulse, the U.S. has long been searching around the world for a "monster" to destroy. China, emerging as the second largest economy with an alien culture and different political system, came as a perfect "monster." China's Vice Foreign Minister Xie Feng also made this point when he met U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman, by stating that some Americans portray China as an "imagined enemy."
Such threat perception is mutually reinforcing, as the much-touted three-pronged "competitive, collaborative and adversarial" approach toward China by the Biden team is widely suspected to be "a thinly veiled attempt to contain and suppress China." The Chinese would only prepare for the worst-case scenarios as the atmosphere in Washington is turning against it. Such interactions would make matters worse by hardening positions and constraining policy choices on both sides.
Admonitions and aspirations: Lee Hsien Loong on China-U.S. relations
As a vocal figure on China-U.S. relations, the Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong again called on the United States and China to de-escalate tensions at the virtual Aspen Security Forum. Lee's remarks served as a valuable admonition, which provide much food for thought for watchers of China-U.S. relations.
Admonitions
"The reality is, neither side can put the other one down," he made a resounding exclamation at the forum as he warned the two sides to avoid miscalculation and avert clashes. This judgement is indeed accurate. The Chinese understand that. However, for the Americans who are so used to initiating regime changes and making military conquests, it might be harder to accept. But a thorough reading of historical interactions between the two countries would help the Americans better appreciate the Chinese nation's capability and determination against outside invasions and interventions.
Another notable piece of advice is the warning of a self-fulfilling prophecy. He cautioned against the "formidable adversary" the U.S. would be taking on "if they decide that China is an enemy."
Guided by its hegemonic impulse, the U.S. has long been searching around the world for a "monster" to destroy. China, emerging as the second largest economy with an alien culture and different political system, came as a perfect "monster." China's Vice Foreign Minister Xie Feng also made this point when he met U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman, by stating that some Americans portray China as an "imagined enemy."
Such threat perception is mutually reinforcing, as the much-touted three-pronged "competitive, collaborative and adversarial" approach toward China by the Biden team is widely suspected to be "a thinly veiled attempt to contain and suppress China." The Chinese would only prepare for the worst-case scenarios as the atmosphere in Washington is turning against it. Such interactions would make matters worse by hardening positions and constraining policy choices on both sides.
