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Global superpowers U.S. and China have a mutually regulatory relationship, said former foreign affairs minister George Yeo.
At an OCBC conference on Jan. 6, he elaborated on the point using an analogy drawn from characters in the Chinese classic Journey to the West.
He compared the long-standing rivalry between both countries to the relationship between central characters Sun Wukong, alluded to represent the U.S., and Tang Sanzang, who represents China, according to Lianhe Zaobao.
In particular, Yeo said that China's rare earth minerals are akin to the iconic "tightening headband" worn by the Monkey King, a trump card repeatedly used to counter U.S. aggression, such as when they threatened staggering tariffs on China in 2025.
In the novel, the headband is used by the monk to restrain Sun Wukong whenever he gets out of hand, but with no intention to inflict harm.
Similarly, China's president Xi Jinping retaliated against the tariffs by tightening export control of rare earths, of which the country is a dominant exporter, to the U.S. in a bid to shape negotiations.
The export controls became a critical hit to the American defence industry, experts said, as they are vital in making various military equipment, but the U.S. had no way to deal with the unexpected roadblock in the short term.
"The current relationship between China and the United States is like the familiar story of 'Journey to the West.'" Yeo said. "Whenever Sun Wukong becomes difficult to control, Tang Sanzang recites the Tightening-Headband Mantra."
U.S. president Donald Trump has repeatedly emphasised the "very good" relationship with China.
They are "not looking to hurt China", he said, despite both countries' ability to regulate each other's powers.
Yeo pointed out that both countries only mean to control the other, but inherently need each other.
Their relationship is also believed to be reaching a state of stability, he said, though with occasional fluctuations.
