US Vice President Kamala Harris He will meet Singapore’s leaders on Monday on the first working day of his trip to Southeast Asia aimed at bolstering ties as part of Washington’s efforts to counter China’s growing influence.
Harris will meet with Singapore’s President Halimah Yacoub and Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and will later visit Changi Naval Base and visit USS Tulsa – a US Navy combat ship.
Singapore is not a US treaty ally, but is one of its strongest security partners in the region with deep trade ties.
However, it also seeks to balance its relations with the United States and China.
The country is home to the largest port in Southeast Asia, and supports continued free navigation in a region where China is rapidly growing.
Harris arrived in Singapore on Sunday at the start of a seven-day trip to the region, which will also include a trip to Vietnam.
During the visits, US officials will aim to address Washington’s concerns about China’s claims over disputed parts of the South China Sea.
According to a report released in April by the Congressional Research Service, which conducts research and analysis for the US Congress, “Singapore has encouraged greater American engagement in Asia, but warned that efforts to ‘stop’ the rise of China are unfavourable.”
“Singapore has maintained generally good relations with China, at least partly as a hedge against potential US layoffs,” the report said.
In a recent interview with Reuters, Singapore’s Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan hailed the role of the United States and China in the region – reflecting the delicate diplomacy in which it has been successful and one Harris has to navigate. .
He said that the United States and Singapore would discuss such topics global pandemicDigital economy and cyber security.
Referring to Singapore and Vietnam, Chong Jae Ian, a political scientist at the National University of Singapore, said, “The leadership of both countries is likely to be careful to avoid making assumptions about which Beijing finds reason to protest.” could.” on Tuesday evening.
Part of Harris’ work will also be to convince the leaders of Singapore and Vietnam that Washington’s commitment to Southeast Asia is firm and does not parallel Afghanistan.
Curtis Chin, an Asian Fellow at the Milken Institute and former US ambassador to the Asian Development Bank, said the United States “needs a complete axis for Asia, including a trade axis, and Singapore and Vietnam could be key partners in that effort.”
“Restoring confidence and confidence in America’s firmness and staying in power must come first,” Chin said.
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