Why China is not popular in the world is because it cannot behave like what America did: Topple other country's president with force. Imagine if Phillipine and Japan is next to America and causing a lot of disturbances in the sea, these two countries President and Prime Minister would be handcuffed and dragged to America for charges. China could do the same now, but it didn't
Singapore is kow-towing to America because the latter is willing to be a police and a violent force that benefit this tiny island. Singapore knew China is not willing to do the same to protect us. Thus, Singapore became very pro-America which China is still grasping to understand.