Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has downplayed the likelihood of an imminent conflict over Taiwan, stating that China is not "trigger happy" about taking over the self-governing island. Speaking at the Bloomberg New Economy Forum in Singapore, Lee said that while China would like Taiwan to be part of "one China," it is unsure of how to make it happen. He emphasized that unless provoked, China is unlikely to launch an attack on Taiwan, comparing it to the World War II battle of Iwo Jima and stating that attacking Taiwan would be even more challenging.

Lee's comments come ahead of an expected meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Joe Biden, the first face-to-face encounter between the leaders in about a year. While the meeting is a positive development, Lee noted that it will not resolve all the challenges in the US-China relationship. The deteriorating US-China relationship in recent years has raised concerns among Southeast Asian nations about the prospect of a conflict, particularly over issues such as Taiwan, human rights, and access to advanced technology.

Leaders in the region have urged both sides to avoid actions that could destabilize the region and splinter critical supply chains. In addition to Taiwan, Lee also discussed the situation in the South China Sea. He stated that Southeast Asian nations are seeking to calibrate their response to Beijing's claims in the disputed waterway. Tensions have escalated recently, with Chinese vessels colliding with Philippines ships near a Filipino military outpost in Second Thomas Shoal. Several ASEAN countries, including Vietnam, Brunei, and Malaysia, have also staked claims in the South China Sea.

Lee emphasized that all the countries involved want to work out an arrangement with China but also have other stakes in the region. During the interview, Lee touched on various other topics, including the Israel-Hamas conflict, terrorism risks in Southeast Asia, the rise of artificial intelligence, and Singapore's tax policy. He called for a two-state solution to ensure peace between Israelis and Palestinians, warned of the risk of terror attacks in Southeast Asia, and emphasized the need to regulate AI technology.

Lee also discussed the need to raise Singapore's goods and services tax to bolster social services and address the needs of an aging society. Overall, Lee's comments highlight the complex challenges in the US-China relationship and the concerns of Southeast Asian nations regarding potential conflicts in the region. The upcoming meeting between Xi Jinping and Joe Biden is seen as a positive step, but it is not expected to resolve all the underlying issues.