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For decades, the southeast Asian countries adopted a balanced approach in their diplomatic relations between China and the US. They didn't side with the U.S. in its quest for a 'coalition of democracies' nor did they oppose authoritarian rulers in the region.
This balance has been in upended in recent years with the rise of China and its aggressive diplomacy. With heightened activity in the South China Sea, many countries are concerned about the geopolitical situation. Staying neutral has been fraught with risks.
Singapore was one of the first movers in this space. During the Obama administration, Singapore took a conscious decision to side with the US on many issues. Chinese experts viewed the island suspiciously.
Singapore was expected to be a reliable partner of the US. Recognizing just that, US Vice President Kamala Harris will be visiting Singapore later this month to discuss various areas of cooperation including defense, cyber security and trade. Defense and cyber security, according to experts, will be in the context of China. [https://www.cnbc.com/2021/07/30/vice-president-kamala-harris-to-visit-vietnam-and-singapore.html]
But Singapore seems to be having second thoughts. It is showing signs that it may revert to its "balanced approach".
The indication has been given by none other than its Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. He has said that while the Chinese may be wrong to believing that "the East is rising and the West is declining," the U.S. should also know that "China is not going to disappear" and that it is not "the Soviet Union." Speaking at the virtual Aspen Security Forum on Wednesday, he also stressed that a China-US conflict would be "disastrous for both sides, and the world." [https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202108/1230610.shtml]
China's foreign minister Wang Yi warned the countries in the region and asked them to "practice of true multilateralism and reject exclusive cliques or zero-sum games." China has accused the U.S. of dividing the countries of the region. [https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202108/1230354.shtml]
But the behavior of the countries in the region would depend on how China shapes its foreign policy in the coming years.
Read more:
Is Singapore choosing sides:
https://foreignpolicy.com/2021/07/14/singapore-china-us-southeast-asia-asean-geopolitics/
The China perspective on Singapore:
https://news.cgtn.com/news/2021-08-05/Admonitions-and-aspirations-Lee-Hsien-Loong-on-China-U-S-relations-12svsRaUJjO/index.html
Areas for cooperation with the US:
https://www.cnbc.com/2021/07/14/southeast-asia-seeks-more-tech-partnership-amid-us-china-rivalry.html