Singapore PM says global geopolitical tensions affect security in Asia-Pacific
Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris (not pictured) hold a joint news conference in Singapore, August 23, 2021. REUTERS FILE PHOTO
SINGAPORE — Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on Sunday said tensions between the United States and China and the Russia-Ukraine war affects security in the Asia-Pacific.
“We can expect more geopolitical contestation in the Asia-Pacific,” he said, adding that Singapore would try its best to avoid being caught up in the “major power rivalry” .
Worsening U.S.-China relations are making it “almost impossible” to work together on pressing global issues like climate change, pandemics, and nuclear proliferation, he said, speaking at the city-state’s national day rally.
RELATED STORIES
In shadow of Ukraine war, US and China set to clash at Asian security meeting
Fiji says climate change, not conflict, is Asia’s biggest security threat