U.S.-China Tensions May Force Nations to Choose, Singapore Says

Singapore risks being “coerced” into choosing between the U.S. or China as the two powers jostle for influence in Asia, according to Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. “If America-China relations become very difficult our position becomes tougher because then we will be coerced to choose between being friends with America and friends with China,” Lee said in an interview with BBC’s “HARDtalk” that aired on Wednesday.

Hong Kong to release seized Singapore troop carriers

Nine armored personnel carriers belonging to Singapore that were seized in the Chinese territory of Hong Kong will be returned, officials said Tuesday. The Singapore Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong received a letter from Hong Kong Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying saying that Hong Kong had completed an investigation of the SAF Terrex infantry carrier vehicles and other equipment and would release them to the Singapore government.

Asian Nations Try to Save TPP Trade Deal

Australia and New Zealand said on Tuesday they hope to salvage the Trans-Pacific Partnership by encouraging China and other Asian nations to join the trade pact after U.S. President Donald Trump kept his promise to pull out of the accord. The TPP, which the United States had signed but not ratified, was a pillar of former U.S. President Barack Obama’s policy to pivot to Asia.