TIES WITH JAPAN AND CHINA
Mr Wong said that Singapore does not view its relations with China and Japan as a “zero-sum affair”, noting that it is possible to maintain good ties with both, and the United States.
While Japan’s relationship with China is more challenging, he expressed hopes that both sides would continue to maintain dialogue and eventually find ways to resolve their differences.
Mr Wong was also asked how China would respond to his visit to Japan, given the recent tensions between the two East Asian neighbours.
He said China was aware of his visit to Japan, and continued to invite him to the Boao Forum in Hainan next week, where he will deliver a keynote speech.
“Having good relations with one does not come at the expense of another. We can be friends with both China and Japan and America, for that matter. We want to maintain as many good friends as possible,” he added.
He said that in today’s world, this can be more complicated because of “great power rivalry” and more scrutiny over what Singapore does.
“When I am in one country, the other country may take notice. This time it is Japan. Next week will be China. At some point, when I am in America, the same thing will happen, but that is just the reality of the complicated geopolitical environment that we are in.
“But as far as a small country is concerned, it is helpful to have maximum strategic space for us to operate, and that means cultivating and maintaining good relations with as many powers as possible as we can,” he said.
Asked about reactions to his remarks at a Bloomberg forum last year, where Mr Wong had commented on the dispute between China and Japan over Taiwan, the prime minister said Singapore has maintained good relations with both countries.
While countries may hold differing views, such differences need not hold back bilateral ties or partnerships, he said.
“Our focus in Singapore has always been to find the common ground, to focus on the areas where we have good opportunities to work together and to advance this cooperation in a mutually beneficial manner,” he added.
