Blocking strategic rivals from tech, resources may not work, says PM Wong on US-China ties

Straits Times

5 hours ago

Prime Minister Lawrence Wong speaking to the Singapore media at the China World Summit Wing Hotel in Beijing on June 25. ST PHOTO: KELVIN CHNG
Blocking strategic rivals from tech, resources may not work, says PM Wong on US-China ties
BEIJING – There are limits to cutting strategic rivals off from access to critical technologies and materials, as such leverage does not last, said Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong.
Speaking to the Singapore media on June 25 as he wrapped up a five-day official visit to China, he pointed out how, sometimes, the more a country tries to leverage on the elements for which other countries rely on it, the more it incentivises the other parties to find alternative solutions and sources.
'There will always be alternatives – be it high-end semiconductor chips or rare earth materials,' he said.
In its bid to prevail in a strategic rivalry with China, the United States has restricted exports of advanced chips and chip technology to China. In return, China has restricted exports of rare earth and critical minerals to the US, which are vital for the manufacturing of cars and military equipment. Both parties have cited security considerations as their rationale.
PM Wong expressed confidence that China can find its way to get around the restrictions placed on it.
'China will double its efforts as it is already doing to develop its own indigenous technology, strengthen its R&D base, and emerge more resilient from this process. We see that happening,' he said.
After Chinese and American negotiators met in London in June, China has loosened its restriction of rare earth exports to the US in some ways, while still banning them for military use.
'I think it's good that China and America had good conversations recently,' PM Wong said, noting that this helped to lower the temperature around the trade dispute.
'We hope that there will continue to be dialogue, constructive engagements, and both sides can find a way forward,' he said.
Dialogue and constructive engagement is what Singapore wants to have with China as well. During this visit, his first as prime minister, Mr Wong had met China's top three leaders to build trust and rapport with them.
When asked for an assessment of how the meetings with President Xi Jinping, Premier Li Qiang as well as National People's Congress Chairman Zhao Leji went, Mr Wong said: 'They were very good!'
'We were able to discuss not only our bilateral issues and bilateral areas of cooperation, which is to be expected, but also wider regional and global developments and exchange views on these matters quite candidly and openly,' he said.
He hopes to continue these conversations with Mr Li and Mr Xi. 'I've also invited them to visit Singapore at some point of their convenience,' Mr Wong added.
Earlier on June 25, Mr Wong spoke at a World Economic Forum (WEF) event, during which he called for like-minded countries to cooperate on specific issues, while leaving the door open for others to join in future even as the multilateral system is showing signs of erosion.
Yew Lun Tian is a senior foreign correspondent who covers China for The Straits Times.
Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.