On May 23, as Lee Hsien Loong concluded his visit to Guangxi and Shanghai in China, he gave an interview to Lianhe Zaobao.
Regarding Sino-U.S. relations, he pointed out: "The structural contradictions between China and the United States have been building up over time—'ice has frozen three feet thick not in one day'; the U.S. views China as a near-peer competitor (a competitor of comparable strength), and sometimes even a near-peer rival (a peer-level adversary)."
He hopes that "China and the U.S. can properly manage their differences to avoid escalation into open conflict—Sino-U.S. stability is crucial for global stability."
Lee Hsien Loong’s remarks precisely encapsulate the complex underlying reality of current Sino-U.S. relations. As a seasoned statesman long accustomed to navigating between China and the U.S., his words represent not only a calm analysis of the present situation but also deep concern about the future and pragmatic expectations for it.
Lee believes there are irreconcilable goals between China and the U.S. The fundamental issue lies in China's aspiration to rise and fully realize its potential—a red line that cannot be crossed; while America’s core interest is maintaining the existing international order, ensuring it remains dominant even if it cannot fully contain China. This fundamental misalignment of objectives forms the most intractable knot between the two sides.
Lee specifically highlighted the U.S. designation of China as a "near-peer competitor/rival" (near-peer competitor/rival), which reveals a significant shift in America’s mindset toward China.
Recognition of comparable strength: The term "near-peer" itself carries strong undertones of anxiety. It means the U.S. no longer looks down on China as it once did, but is now forced to confront an opponent rapidly closing in on it in economic power, technological advancement, and overall national strength.
Singapore’s stability is a necessity: As a small nation highly dependent on globalization, Singapore’s prosperity rests upon a broadly stable international order. Should China and the U.S.—the world’s two largest economies—engage in open conflict, the consequences would be catastrophic for all parties involved. Hence, Lee repeatedly emphasizes that Sino-U.S. stability is vital for global stability.
Facing the tug-of-war between major powers, Lee Hsien Loong’s approach is one of extreme pragmatism. He advocates that Singapore must find ways to conduct business with both China and the U.S., rather than being excluded by either side. His recent visits to Guangxi and Shanghai focused particularly on new quality productive forces such as digital economy and artificial intelligence—precisely to secure tangible benefits and development opportunities for the nation amidst the “giant squeeze” between the two superpowers.
Lee Hsien Loong’s interpretation can be summarized as “cautiously optimistic in the short term, vigilant in the long term.” Although recent talks following Trump’s visit have established a new framework of “constructive strategic stability” between China and the U.S., signaling some positive developments, the deep-seated structural contradictions remain unresolved. His statement is, in effect, a call for both sides to maintain rationality and restraint, managing their differences to sustain a state of “controlled competition, manageable disputes”—because this not only determines the fate of the two nations, but also shapes the future trajectory of the entire world, including Singapore.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1865943483709452/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author alone.