Singapore: Vice President U.S. Kamala Harris will meet with Singapore leaders on Monday on the first working day of the trip to Southeast Asia aims to strengthen the Washington bond to fight China’s influence.
Harris will meet with Singapore President Halimah Yacob and Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and then visit the Changi Navy Base and tour USS Tulsa – naval combat vessels.
Singapore is not Ally Agreement A.S., but remains one of the strongest security partners in this region with deep trade ties. However, it also seeks to balance its relationship with the United States and China with impartial.
This country is home to the largest port in Southeast Asia, and supports sustainable free navigation in the area, where China is increasing.
Harris arrived in Singapore on Sunday at the beginning of a seven-day visit to this region, which will also include a trip to Vietnam. During the visit A.S. Officials will aim to overcome Washington’s concern about Chinese claims for disputed parts of the South China Sea.
“Singapore has encouraged a larger US involvement in Asia, but warned that efforts ‘contain’ China’s contrortional increase,” according to a report released in April by Congress research services, who conducted research and analysis for the US Congress.
“Singapore has maintained a good relationship with China, at least partly as hedging against the possibility of savings u.S.,” said the report.
In a recent interview with Reuters, Singapore Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan, welcomed the role of the United States and China playing in the region – reflecting fine diplomacy that had been successful and one Harris had to navigate.
He said the United States and Singapore will discuss topics such as pandemics, digital economics and cybersecurity.
“Leadership in both countries tends to be careful to avoid creating the impression that Beijing might find a reason to conflict with,” said Chong Ja Ian, a political scientist at the National University of Singapore, referring to Singapore and Vietnam, where Harris Heads on Tuesday night .
Part of Harris’s duty will also convince leaders in Singapore and Vietnam that Washington’s commitment to Southeast Asia and not parallel with Afghanistan.
Curtis Chin, Asian colleagues at the Musu Institute and former Ambassador A.S. The US, said the United States needed “all Pivots to Asia including business pivots, and Singapore and Vietnam can be a key partner in an effort.”
“Restoring trust and trust in A.S. Steadfastness and remains in power even though you have to come first,” Chin said.