US should have heeded Lee Hsien Loong’s advice: Global Times editorial

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Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong is on an eight-day visit to the US. Lee mentioned many times the solidarity and cooperation of the international community. He reminded Washington that if the US cuts off China, "the price is very high." He also emphasized that the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework should be built "on a win-win basis," and "as a way to engage the region and not just on strategic or security and potentially hostile basis."

This is not the first time that Lee raised kind reminder to Washington. He has expressed similar views many times before, including describing the two superpowers, China and the US, as "conjoined twins," and warning that clash between the two powers would be a disaster for the world. In addition, Lee has many times expressed the attitude that Singapore cannot take sides.

Singapore is one of the US' closest partners in Southeast Asia, though not a formal treaty ally. Former US president Barack Obama once said Singapore is an anchor for the US presence in the region. At the same time, Singapore has  significant influence in ASEAN. Therefore, Lee's remarks are sincere to Washington and representative and symbolic in ASEAN.

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