Lawrence Wong implicity criticizes Beijing's overreaction, supports Japan

 Direct translation

Singapore's Prime Minister implicitly criticizes Beijing's overreaction; firmly supports Japan

Editor: Zhongkang / Source: United Daily News / https://www.aboluowang.com/2025/1120/2308296.html / Image of Lawrence Wong : Associated Press

The South China Morning Post reported that amid the ongoing standoff between China and Japan over Taiwan-related statements, Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong stated on the 19th that he supports Japan playing a more significant role in regional security and hinted at urging the lifting of historical prejudices to ease tensions between the two countries. Commenting on the situation around the Taiwan Strait, he said that given the US's commitment to the One China policy, war is unlikely to break out in the Taiwan Strait unless a real red line is crossed.

Wong, speaking at the Bloomberg New Economy Forum on the 19th, stated that Singapore and other Southeast Asian countries support Japan playing a more significant role in the region, including on the security front, to promote greater stability.

He pointed out that although China and Japan are major trading partners, bilateral relations are complicated by territorial disputes, historical wars, and the US-Japan alliance. "Hopefully, both countries can find a way to resolve these very complex issues," he said. "Southeast Asian countries have already done this with Japan... We put history aside and move forward."

Wong declined to comment on Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's remarks about a potential "Taiwan crisis," while noting that Japan seems inclined to stabilize its relationship with China rather than escalate the situation. He stated, "I hope China can maintain the same attitude, that even with differences, we can still get along and cooperate."

The CCP has been making frequent moves in recent days, including sending its coast guard into the waters around the Diaoyu Islands (Senkaku Islands in Japanese). Against this backdrop, Lawrence Wong believes that due to the US's adherence to the One China policy, the possibility of war breaking out in the Taiwan Strait remains unlikely.

Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong attended the opening ceremony of the ASEAN Plus Three Summit on 27 October 2025. 

He stated, "Unless there is a situation that truly crosses the CCP's red line, such as Taiwan declaring independence, we do not believe that war will occur."