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The way Singapore’s PM Lee describes China reflects our expectations
In an interview with the BBC earlier this month, Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong eloquently reflected the expectations of the 10-member ASEAN, as well as other countries, of the amazing rise of China.
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People look at ice sculptures at the Harbin Ice and Snow Festival in Harbin, in northeastern China's Heilongjiang province on Jan. 5. (AFP/-)
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n an interview with the BBC earlier this month, Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong eloquently reflected the expectations of the 10-member ASEAN, as well as other countries, of the amazing rise of China, now the world’s second economic superpower that is closing in on the United States.
When asked by Karishma Vaswani about what he thought a better solution would be to the reactions of other countries toward the global political direction of China, PM Lee answered: “[…] What we would like to see is China being able to be a country where its prosperity, development and its growing strength is welcomed by other countries in the world, who see this as an opportunity for them to prosper together and to live in a stable world together.”
Lee then added, “I think that that is a very important factor that China has had in its favor, which would be a pity to miss out on in the next phase.”
And when asked further about how concerned he is with the direction that China is taking politically, PM Lee answered, ”We cannot judge the domestic pressures which lead China to make the decisions it makes. But I think internationally, the position it has taken has won it some friends but at the same time, has led to tensions with major powers and with many other countries. And there is significant uncertainty and anxiety over which way China is going, and whether this will be good for them. I do not think that is in China’s interest.”
In the context of ASEAN, Lee is very right in saying that other countries are very eager to mutually benefit from the economic growth of China, their most important trading partner and, soon, source of investment. But mentally, China still falls in the category of developing countries, or a newly rich country still amazed by its vertical mobility.
Chinese people now realize how rich and advanced their country is now compared it was several decades ago.
When one of your neighbors or friends climbs over you in terms of socioeconomic status, you may find it difficult to accept the fact but have to adjust yourself. Your newly rich friend will perhaps show off a little bit temporarily, but sooner or later, they will behave normally, or else you and other neighbors will abandon him.
