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Kolette Lim

Singapore’s Prime Minister Lawrence Wong has voiced hope that China and Japan can de-escalate tensions, following a row sparked by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s comments on the Taiwan Strait.
At the Bloomberg New Economy Forum on Wednesday, Wong said Singapore and fellow Southeast Asian states supported Tokyo stepping into a bigger role in the region, including on the security front, for greater stability.
Takaichi earlier this month said Japan could deploy its military in the event of a contingency in Taiwan, enraging Beijing officials, who claimed her remarks damaged bilateral ties and challenged the post-war international order.
Wong on Wednesday noted that while both nations were major trading partners, their ties were “complex” due to territorial disputes, historical wars and Japan’s alliance with the United States.
“We hope the two countries will find ways to resolve these very complex issues and move forward,” Wong said. “Southeast Asia has done that with Japan … We’ve put history aside and we’re moving forward.”


He declined to comment on Takaichi’s initial remarks, and noted that Japan seemed to be inclined to stabilise its relationship with China and not escalate matters.
“I hope China will feel the same way, and while there may be differences, the two countries can still get along and work together,” Wong said.
China has urged its citizens to avoid travelling to Japan, with airlines offering full refunds to those who have bought tickets.
Beijing on Sunday announced the deployment of a coastguard formation to patrol the waters near the disputed Diaoyu Islands, which Tokyo refers to as the Senkaku Islands.
But Wong said a war over Taiwan remained unlikely, given the US commitment to the one-China policy.
“We don’t see [a war] happening unless something happens that really crosses China’s red lines, for example, a unilateral move by Taiwan to declare independence,” he said.
Beijing sees Taiwan as part of China to be reunited by force if necessary. Most countries, including the US and Japan, do not recognise Taiwan as an independent state, but Washington is opposed to any attempt to take the self-governed island by force and is committed to supplying it with weapons.

Pressed on whether US President Donald Trump’s tariffs had led to Asean members leaning into China’s orbit, Wong reaffirmed the good relations between the US and the 11-member bloc.
“There is no doubt America’s actions over this recent period has impacted its standing in Southeast Asia … but I think there’s still tremendous goodwill and desire for Asean countries to engage in the US,” Wong said, citing the recent Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit where Trump presided over the peace accord between Cambodia and Thailand.
Wong noted that the US remained Southeast Asia’s largest investor, and said all states looked forward to increased engagement with the superpower.
“America’s standing has taken a hit, there’s no doubt,” he said. “But we hope America can recover from this, and we would like to see America recovering from this.”
He also reinforced the independence of Asean states in the midst of the superpower rivalry, and said all countries would continue to prioritise their national interests.
“We have been the arena for proxy wars before. It was such a painful experience, we don’t want that to happen again, and so Asean will continue to be fiercely independent … and engaged with all the key players,” he said.


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Lawrence Wong cites the example of Southeast Asia and Japan, who have ‘put history aside’ and are moving forward


Lawrence Wong cites the example of Southeast Asia and Japan, who have ‘put history aside’ and are moving forward.


Singapore PM hopes China, Japan ‘find ways to resolve’ Taiwan Strait row

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Lawrence Wong cites the example of Southeast Asia and Japan, who have ‘put history aside’ and are moving forward

Lawrence Wong cites the example of Southeast Asia and Japan, who have ‘put history aside’ and are moving forward