FRIENDS WITH ALL
Touching on Japan-China ties and the back-to-back timing of his visits to Tokyo last week and Hainan and Hong Kong this week, Mr Wong acknowledged that the two countries “are going through a difficult phase in their relations”.
“But from Singapore’s point of view, we are friends with both China and Japan. For that matter, with America and other major partners,” he said.
While major powers may have difficulties in their relations with one another, Singapore’s goal is to remain friends with all of them – and Mr Wong said he believes that this is possible.
“That is our approach, has always been our approach consistently, and we will continue to find ways to engage all these major powers, deepen our cooperation further and look for win-win outcomes,” he said.
On the timing of his China visit, Mr Wong said it was not pre-planned. His Japan trip had originally been set for last year but was delayed due to scheduling difficulties. Once dates were eventually agreed upon – after Japan’s elections earlier this year – a March slot was confirmed.
