Singapore can bring China, US together: diplomat Tommy Koh

The relationship between China and the United States has soured to such an extent that even think tanks from each side are unable to engage bilaterally, but Singapore can play a role in bringing the rival superpowers together, veteran diplomat Tommy Koh has said.

At a Singapore International Mediation Centre fireside chat on Wednesday, Koh, who was the city state’s former ambassador to the UN and Washington, noted Singapore had previously – as host – brought to the table territories with differences.

He listed examples including mainland China and Taiwan, notably when President Xi Jinping and former Taiwanese leader Ma Ying-jeou met in 2015, and the summit between US President Donald Trump and North Korea’s Kim Jong-un in 2018.

“This is a role that Singapore can play. We are friendly to everyone. We have good relations with all of them, and Singapore provides a very conducive environment to countries that have difficulties with each other to meet,” said Koh, who is ambassador-at-large for Singapore.

On the US-China relationship, Koh said the bottom line was that Americans were used to being No 1, so it was determined to prevent China’s rise.

However, he argued that China could not be contained and that, despite US opposition and sanctions, Beijing would eventually become an equal.