Chan Heng Chee: A China-US “Group of Two” (G2) Is Emerging

Lianhe Zaobao, 陈庆珠：不管中国喜不喜欢 G2已形成

(Summarised translation)

Singapore’s Ambassador-at-Large Chan Heng Chee said that a “Group of Two” (G2), comprising China and the United States, is emerging. Although Beijing is reluctant to be seen as a member of the G2 and does not regard itself as a hegemonic power like the United States, China is nevertheless viewed by the world as a member of the G2.

The eighth Singapore-China Forum, organised by Lianhe Zaobao, was held on Monday (6 July) morning at Fairmont Singapore. Themed “Shifts in the Global Order and a New Landscape”, the forum explored the new situation arising from the collision between the old and new orders.

This year’s forum featured two thematic discussions. The first shared the forum’s theme, “Shifts in the Global Order and a New Landscape” and focused on analysing the direction of the international landscape amid major-power rivalry, as well as the strategies adopted by countries in the region in response.

The panellists included Singapore’s Ambassador-at-Large and Honorary Professor at the Lee Kuan Yew Centre for Innovative Cities at the Singapore University of Technology and Design, Chan Heng Chee; Dean of the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy at the National University of Singapore and Chairman of the Middle East Institute, Danny Quah; Deputy Director of the Center for American Studies at Fudan University, Zhao Minghao; and Associate Professor at the School of International Studies at Nanjing University and Deputy Director of the Collaborative Innovation Center of South China Sea Studies, Ma Bo. The discussion was moderated by Lianhe Zaobao Deputy Editor Han Yong Hong.

During the thematic discussion, Chan said that the G2 has yet to be formally established or institutionalised. However, after the Chinese and US leaders met in Beijing in May this year, “we all breathed a sigh of relief. We were also very pleased to hear that there would be another summit between the two leaders. I hope it can be held as soon as possible, in September.”

Chan believes that a stable US-China relationship would create more space and opportunities for other countries. Countries are also asking: What kind of power will China become? Chinese policymakers are likewise asking themselves what kind of power China should become. “We [China] do not want to be like the United States, but what kind of major power should we become? I think China is working hard to resolve this question.”

Chan pointed out that China is signalling that it wishes to abide by the rules of the United Nations and hopes to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). “These are all very positive signals.”