Small states ‘cannot afford to take sides’

FROM A1

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not trying to calibrate. That is not the word that we use. We are not trying to balance.

“Instead, the question that we constantly ask ourselves is, how can we be relevant and how can we be a partner that adds value to the relationship?”

That is why Singapore needs to spend time and effort to deeply understand the American and the Chinese systems, beyond specific personalities, he said.

To the extent that Singapore can contribute to the mutual understanding of the US and China, it will do its "small part", said Mr Chan.

“But that does not mean that we are trying to pass messages or we are trying to balance - we never see ourselves as an interlocutor,” he added.

“I think the US and the Chinese, they have told us that both of them value our perspective, and we will share our perspective frankly with them.

“It doesn't mean that they will always agree with everything that we say. But as a trusted, principled and reliable friend, we will do our best to share honest views with them,” he told reporters.