BEIJING, Nov 7 — The recent uproar among Chinese netizens over Singapore Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew's call for the United States to remain engaged in Asia to balance China is 'normal', the Chinese Foreign Ministry said yesterday.
It will not affect the bilateral mood ahead of President Hu Jintao's state visit to Singapore next week, the ministry suggested.
“Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew is a renowned statesman, and also an old friend of China's,” Assistant Foreign Minister Hu Zhengyue told reporters at a briefing on Hu's trips to Malaysia and Singapore, where he will also attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) summit.
“I believe he has expressed his own views on international issues regularly. It is not surprising to see all kinds of comments on his views appearing in the newspapers. That is normal.”
Appearing to read from a script, he added: “The Chinese government does not have any special comment on this issue.”
In a keynote address delivered at the US-Asean Business Council's 25th anniversary dinner in Washington on Oct 27, Lee had said: “The size of China makes it impossible for the rest of Asia, including Japan and India, to match it in weight and capacity in about 20 to 30 years. So we need America to strike a balance.”
That drew a tide of criticism on the Chinese-language website of state-owned Global Times — a newspaper known for its nationalistic bent — with a netizen saying Lee “spoke for the feeling of those in the West who fear China's rise would harm their vested interests”.
That sparked further debate at a handful of other mainland media outlets in subsequent days. Some Chinese chafed at any suggestion that China needed to be “balanced”.
Asked for China's views on the role of the US in the Asia-Pacific region, Vice-Foreign Minister He Yafei framed it within the scope of the region's key multilateral organisation, Apec.
He told reporters: “The US is now a member of Apec and a member of the Asia-Pacific big family (of countries).
“We welcome a positive and constructive US role in the Asia-Pacific. For the US to play this role is normal. But it is also our view that no country should damage the interests of the other countries, no matter what role it plays in the Asia-Pacific region. They should all work for the stability, peace and prosperity of the region.”
Hu, who will also make a state visit to Malaysia before travelling to Singapore, is on his first state visit to the two Southeast Asian countries as president. The trip is also the first by a Chinese president in 15 years, the assistant foreign minister said.
The Chinese leader is due to arrive in Singapore on Wednesday. He will meet President S.R. Nathan, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, Lee Kuan Yew and Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong.
Hu will exchange views with Singapore's leaders on “comprehensively deepening the friendly ties and cooperation between both countries”.
“He will also promote progress in key areas of cooperation, and exchange views on international and regional issues of mutual concern,” the assistant foreign minister said.
“Ties between China and Singapore have developed rapidly since they were established 19 years ago, with remarkable success achieved in several areas of cooperation, and ever-growing mutual understanding and trust on major issues,” he noted.
At the Nov 14-15 Apec summit, the Chinese President will give addresses touching on Beijing's views on the global economic crisis, combating trade protectionism and fighting climate change, said He. — Straits Times
Show/Hide comments
Show/Hide comment form
