The Asahi Shimbun had an exclusive interview with Lee
Kuan Yew, recently retired minister mentor of Singapore, about the nuclear
accident in Japan, China’s rising, the way to control China, the relations
between Japan-US and Singapore-US and the East Sea disputes.

Lee said that the nuclear accident at the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant
has damaged Japan’s reputation as a “careful, thorough planner”.

Although Lee is positive that Japan will emerge from its reconstruction
challenge “stronger as a united people,” he believes the negative impact on its
economy may linger for several years or even longer.

As for Singapore, as it faces the emerging strategic reality of a rising China
and a weakening Japan, it seems to be pursuing a policy of further strengthening
its defense ties with the United States. Lee fully endorsed this option,
emphasizing, “Singapore and the US share a belief that a strong U.S. presence in
the region enhances regional peace and stability.”

But at the same time he also predicted, “There will be important changes in the
power balance in the next 10 years with a growing China.”

The answers from Lee were provided in a written statement.

Do you think Japan will emerge from this period of enormous challenge
stronger or weaker?

Stronger as a united people, but weaker in its economy.

You point out in your new book, “Lee Kuan Yew: Hard Truths to Keep Singapore
Going,” that Japan is in deep trouble with a number of challenges starting with
its shrinking and fast-aging population. The recent devastation of March 11
seems to add to that “trouble.” How do you see the impact of March 11 on Japan’s
future?

Japan’s future is a weaker economy for several years.

The years could drag on unless Japan increases its population either by
immigration and/or increased births.

What will be the impact of such changes of Japan on the geopolitics of the
region?

Japan is the region’s second largest economy. Any slowdown will affect all its
economic partners in the region.

What should we read into the recent disputes in the East Sea between China and
Vietnam/the Philippines in terms of China’s regional strategy and ambition?

China has proposed the dispute be settled bilaterally. All the other claimants
are much smaller than China.

At the Shangri-La Dialogue, U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates disclosed
the US plan to deploy new littoral combat ships (LCS) in Singapore. Singapore
has already concluded the Strategic Framework Agreement (SFA) with the United
States. How much further do you think Singapore needs to enhance its defense
cooperation with the United States?

Singapore will try to meet U.S. needs. Singapore and the U.S. share a belief
that a strong U.S. presence in the region enhances regional peace and stability
and are committed to further strengthening bilateral defense cooperation in line
with the spirit and vision of the 2005 Strategic Framework Agreement (SFA).

This announcement of new deployment of LCSs by Secretary Gates indicates that
the United States believes it is indispensable to enhance its presence and
engagement in Southeast Asia to balance out the growing influence of China. What
are your views on the strategic balance between the United States and China in
the Asia-Pacific region?

To balance a huge power like China, the U.S. needs partnership with Japan and
the co-operation of the countries of ASEAN.

To what extent and how does the Shangri-La Dialogue help Singapore to ensure
its security in the region?

For Singapore to be the venue for discussions on sensitive issues of security is
useful to all contending parties. We provide a neutral meeting place where there
is no bias in favor of any party.

This year marked the 10th anniversary of the Shangri-La Dialogue, and China
finally decided to send its minister of national defense.

China was doubtful of the value of the exchange at the beginning, probably
subjected to questions from the other members of the conference. But they have
now decided to send their minister of national defense. They must believe it is
a useful venue for dialogue, for an exchange of views that leads to confidence
building.

Recently a new geostrategic framework of “Indo-Pacific” has become the currency
among policy experts. Do you think it can be more useful than “Asia-Pacific” to
address the security and economic challenges that the regional states face?

India can stabilize the Indian Ocean. I am not sure its navy can effectively
extend its reach to the Pacific Ocean.

India has recently been active in showing its presence in the Pacific. Do you
think this is beneficial for the security of the region?

Yes, it is beneficial to peace and stability.

In spite of various efforts by ASEAN countries, the territorial disputes in
the East Sea do not seem to be moving toward a peaceful resolution yet. The
recent incidents between Vietnam and China show how volatile the situation still
is. What is it that the claimant countries and the major powers in the region
can/should do to solve this issue?

Resolve the issues in accordance with International Tribunal for the Law of the
Sea (ITLOS).

You have mentioned in one of those past interviews the importance of keeping the
balance between the United States and China for the stability of the region.
What can and should other regional countries including Singapore and Japan do to
achieve this goal?

Japan can be America’s partner for peace and stability. Singapore is playing a
much smaller role as an island where the U.S. pre-positions its ammunition and
other military equipment.

What do you think of the “strategic chemistry”
between the United States and China, especially when China is gaining more
confidence in itself as its national power grows? Do you think a bipolar system
with these countries at the top can be functional and sustainable?

Let us wait and see how the relationship develops. There is more benefit for
China to have cooperative relations with America. China needs U.S. markets,
technology and know-how to grow.

2012 to 2013 will be the time when a number of major powers in the
Asia-Pacific region will go through possible leadership transitions. They
include China, the United States, South Korea and Taiwan at least. Some predict
instability in the region. What is your view, and what do you think has to be
done to prevent any negative impact on the region?

I do not think the changes in leadership are inherently destabilizing. There
will be important changes in the power balance in the next 10 years with a
growing China.

Source: Asahi Shimbun