MM Lee wrote:
"The increase in tensions between the two nations caused an American leader close to the White House to ask me why China's posture has changed. I could not explain why. So when I met the Chinese state councillor in January, I showed him the FT photo. The state councillor responded that it was a misunderstanding.
I then added that foreign officials, including Singapore's, in negotiating with Chinese officials on joint statements have found them to be pushier and tougher to deal with. The state councillor responded in succinct Chinese, "When we are not strong we should not be proud, and when we are strong we will still not be proud." I agreed and complimented him on his speech in Jakarta in which he had pointed out that China's per capita GDP was modest, ranking 104th in the world."
Read Lee KY's latest contribution to Forbes magazine column here:
http://www.forbes.com/forbes/2010/0412/opinions-lee-kuan-yew-china-united-states-current-events.html
"The increase in tensions between the two nations caused an American leader close to the White House to ask me why China's posture has changed. I could not explain why. So when I met the Chinese state councillor in January, I showed him the FT photo. The state councillor responded that it was a misunderstanding.
I then added that foreign officials, including Singapore's, in negotiating with Chinese officials on joint statements have found them to be pushier and tougher to deal with. The state councillor responded in succinct Chinese, "When we are not strong we should not be proud, and when we are strong we will still not be proud." I agreed and complimented him on his speech in Jakarta in which he had pointed out that China's per capita GDP was modest, ranking 104th in the world."
Read Lee KY's latest contribution to Forbes magazine column here:
http://www.forbes.com/forbes/2010/0412/opinions-lee-kuan-yew-china-united-states-current-events.html