Where is human rights of Iraqi, Afghanistan when the innocent people were killed ? No one said a word about basic human rights there. When it comes to China, human right? pure crap and hypocrisy of these people.

What a stupid question? Any war can be avoided. We are talking about people getting kill here and is not a joke. It’s the US that wanted a war and not China please be clear

Just out of curiosity,why is the US fleet circumnavigating the Indo Pacific regions? Can an Asian fleet station around theGulf of Mexico? Who gives the US the right to establish military bases all over the world? How is the UN peace keeping force managing this?

" we unloaded barrels of what they said was insecticides to kill the mosquitoes here and so that people wouldnt get malaria but it turned out to be agent orange - a dioxin. so for me its very emotional issue to try to make up for that " American Vietnam war veteran

the question should be, can we, esp. Asians stop US from attacking China?

This has been a very useful summit. All the speakers were learned and they spoke frankly. Nevertheless, I am of the view that there is only one war-monger in the geo-political tension between China and USA. The war-monger is USA.

For a long time, the American troops stationed overseas have claimed to maintain the so-called “order” and “rules” in the host countries under the pretext of “security cooperation”, while actually, they place themselves above the local laws under the protection of extraterritoriality. Their misconduct and violations have triggered a public outcry.

The moderator is a parrot of American propaganda, focusing solely on territorial disputes which are only a tiny and inconsequential part of China's engagement with the region, but since it s the only discordant aspect of China's relationship with its neighbours, the US never fails to jump on it and magnify it out of all proportion in its quest to elevate tensions between China and its neighbours. Thankfully all of the guests brushed his crude innuendo aside and in their own way tried to shine a light on the whole picture from a non US-centric perspective, something to which Singaporeans have zero exposure through their country's media.

2008 to 2016 was the golden era between Taiwan and China. It was peaceful. There were dialogues. There were bilateral agreements. There were mutual respect. Too bad, a peaceful Taiwan-China relationship is a no-no for the US. Next thing we know .. pro-US Tsai became president in 2016 and everything went to shit right after. This is no coincidence! Want to prevent war ... remove the actors.

The expressions of the other panelists whenever Luttwak spoke was priceless - he was like the long-lost sibling who showed up to dinner uninvited!

Imagine China build tons of military bases around south America, arming south America countries. Sending warship around east and west coast of North Murica. Then asking is the war with North Murica avoidable? Lol

In regards to the South China Sea, I believe Kishore Mahbubani explains it in one of his lectures the reasons behind the militarization of the South China Sea and China not signing UNCLOS. He stated that the US never ratified UNCLOS because it would tie US hands from sending warships up and down the South China Sea (SCS). Furthermore, Xi Jingping proposed to Obama to make the SCS a non-militarized zone between the US and China. Of course, Obama declined to comment because it also meant he couldn't send warships up and down China's coast! It was at that moment that the Chinese realized US intentions. As for militarizing the SCS, countries simply started grabbing neighboring islands without any set rules. Since other countries started it without others consultation, China decided quickly to do it before it was too late except on a grand scale and to protect its own shores! China would then negotiate with other countries after establishing its presence. Put simply, countries should think before they act because a large power like China would overreact. They did not know the consequences of what they started. That is the lesson.

Of course it can be avoided.....ASEAN countries need to stand up against the Anglo countries inside the Asian region and from outside!!!!

I hope ST read comments posted here. Please be more selective on your choice of moderator especially you have invited distinguished guests. Ravi Vellor is a poor choice...he apears to be rude & biased, simply lack of professionalism...

So all the ASEAN countries expect China to be generous to give up its interests in the South China Sea just because they are small and weak? I wonder if they dare to talk about that to the US.

Asian countries must protect it's own continent from western aggression. China, Japan & Korea peninsula must work together for peace as much as possible rest Asian countries must avoid of following western order, Asian will live comfortably without west intervention.

Where is Prof Kishore Mahbubani?

Professor Wang of NUS said "American intervention in Iraq and Afghanistan". I thought they invaded the countries. Subtle difference.

China’s philosophy about land and its people is totally different from the western piracy philosophy. There are millions of Chinese immigrants in Southeast Asia, but had no idea of colonization, not for lack of force but lack of ability to maintain the welfare of locals, herself is already too big to govern. And for all of Europe smaller countries with scarce resource, piracy and plunder was and still is the way they cast the same image on China. Read more books.

The moderator is indeed not worthy of my respect. He is not professional or courteous to the guest speaker nearest to him especially when he wanted to speak. Just let a person speak for the sake of courtesy if they insist to speak, don't force them to shut up.

The moderator needs to learn to be more modest, diplomatic and neutral. He did appear to be "rude" or biased from the way he posed questions...not good from a senior editorial member of a reputable Singapore newspaper...

surely the ST can come up with a better moderator? this one appears to have a bias which would seem to immediately disqualify him?

I think Prof Chan Heng Chee is not correct on 1 thing. Asia is accustomed for 70-80 years of US presence. But what about China? China is your neighboor since humankind, even before this, so Asia is not accustomed to China? China can not disaapear and appear at once. US is on the otherside of the globe.

Simple Solution. Stop War Mongering and Make Peace. Work for Peace.

Is War avoidable in Asia ? That depends what is a war ? China's taking over of Taiwan is Not a war.

Ravi should title the subject as 'Does US want to avoid the Taiwan war ?' Whether the war is avoidable or not is all in the hands of US (not even Taiwan as it obey whatever US wants them to do) as China has stated repeatedly in the White paper and also in 20th National Congress meeting to have peaceful reunification. US seeing its success in Ukraine war is trying to use exactly the same tactic to instigate the Taiwan war.

The Trigger point for war between US and China is Taiwan's independence. As long as Taiwan doesnt declare itself as an independent country than China will not attack Taiwan. The elephant in the room is during KMT's Ma Ying-jeou time China and Taiwan had the best relationship, and than the DP took over under current Tsai Ing-wen which we all already know is back and funded by the US NGO group! So why does noone talk or even acknowledge this fact? Is this a taboo topic to even mention and discuss it?? Or these supposed experts think this is insignificant?? The key point is if Taiwan has independent minded leaders that is not leaning towards China or US how will they decide Taiwan's future..... this however will never happen as history shows that the US is fond of meddling to destabilize countries around countries they want to bring down as now in Russia using Ukraine as proxy and how they destroyed Libya, in Syria, was in Afghanistan, in Venezuela, Panama, and many other countries around the world!

Gregory Henderson, who served at the US embassy in Seoul in the 1950s and 1960s, recalls in his thesis ‘politically dangerous factors in US troops exercising operation & control right in Korea’: ” … Every US soldier from officer down enjoys material indulgence in Korea. Material indulgence includes abundant supply of fresh bodies of young local women.”

More alliances in Asia would definitely embolden the war monger to move more agressively to provoke the dragon into a conflict. We need to do our bit to push our govnmt not to fall into the trap/temptation to start a conflict in our backyard, whereby we, our family would suffer the most. Let's strive for peace. Hope the anglo down under neighbors come to some senses in this subject too, for peace sake.

This lady Prof is 100% correct to state that US will be your lover when you are needed. Whatever issue on human rights, democracy, rules of law can be put aside. She did not follow through to state that US will discard you after use like condom. At less than 10 example over the last 60 years.

It would be better if the moderator is more neutral and less anti china…..

Jai Hinduja. You neocons want to fight everywhere but where is your victory? Korea, Vietnam, Somalia, Iraq, Syria, Libya, Afghanistan, Ukraine.

This woman is wrong. China does not push Asean countries to choose. It's US who does that.

The most important thing today is The World's Great Awakening. The world is waking up and rising up against The USA/West's Hegemony ,which was making the world(Asia,Africa n the Central/South Americas) poor.

War can be avoided, of course, provided both sides want the same thing, but this is not what the US wants.

" No one in the Federal Government even knows for sure how many of these labs there are in the United States, much less what research they are doing or whether they are safe and secure. What we do know is that the Federal Government has been funding the proliferation of these labs on an unprecedented scale. For the past 5 years, the NIH has spent more than $1 billion on the construction of new BSL-3 and BSL-4 labs. Given the serious risk associated with these labs, we must ask if all these new labs are necessary. Has the NIH carefully assessed the need for these labs before writing checks to build them? "

War can be avoided if US learns how to ALWAYS mind their business and preach more peace than war instead of always trying to be the Bully of the world

The American seemed to be asleep most of the time, then rattled off the strangest things that don't fit into the discussion when he got woken up.

John Pilger already addressed all those issues the moderator examine. They all need to view those documentaries

Why would China attack its customers and trading partners? What good does it do?

What Western specialists know; they know China better than Chinese, they know India better than Indians, they know Asia better than Asians. Therefore, you must listen

Either big or small scale of war cannot be avoided anymore.

If war is not avoidable then this war should fight on USA land. Because that's what will realise them what war do with people.

" HOW CAN THE WORLD STOP BOTHERING THE AMERICAN TROOPS ???!!! " - ST

China (PRC) already given 2 of the 11 dots (previously claimed by ROC (Taiwan)) to Vietnam.

What a stoopid topic! Does China want wars? Come on! The Straits Times! Be straight thinking for once!

The Taiwan - China issue is indeed a potential conflict in Asia, however the Korean peninsula is far more worrisome and unstable.

The only person calling a spade, a spade was Dr.Edward Luttwak.

Excuse me 🤠! China definitely doesn't like war ! Which country like war the most in this planet ?

South China Sea is a issue of critical strategic importance to defend against USA, nothing else, certainly not economic or land grab greed

Can war be avoided? It depends on what we choose to focus on & act upon? If we choose to focus on war & act towards war, we get war. If we choose peace & act towards peace then we get peace Hence, are you a war-monger or a peace-monger?

"Our hearing today will focus on the risk associated with the recent increase of domestic BSL-3 and BSL-4 labs. These BSL-3 and 4 labs are the facilities where research is conducted on highly infectious viruses and bacteria that can cause injury or death. Some of the world's most exotic and most dangerous diseases are handled at BSL-3 and 4 labs, including anthrax, foot-and-mouth disease and Ebola fever. The accidental or deliberate release of some of the biological agents handled at these labs could have catastrophic consequences. Yet, as we will hear from the Government Accountability Office, GAO, no single Government agency has the ultimate responsibility for ensuring the safety and securing of these high-containment labs. "

Since 2020, DF-21D and DF-26B are able to engage moving targets because of its reported “active terminal seeker.” DF-21D medium-range, anti-ship ballistic missile capable of targeting a moving aircraft carrier strike group from land-based mobile launchers maximum range exceeding 1,450 km Speed Mach 10 DF-26B a long range up to 5,000 km that could reach warships as far away as Guam. These 2 formidable anti-ship missiles have been deployed to push US carrier strike group out of 1st and 2nd islands chains.

A candid conversation between very knowledgeable people. It was very instructive

Excellent discussion ST! It is great to hear the perspective of so many enlightened Asians and an intellectual and thought provoking comments. China is seen in 'black and white' terms here in the west but Asia sees subtle grey shades.This is not surprising because the west has always found it easier to deal with binaries.. right vs wrong but Asia works on adjustment

Voice recording could be better. Hard to struggle at many points to follow what the speakers were saying.

3:08 On human rights, around that time Texaco, who has helped fund the International Republican Institute, which is also funded by the National Endowment for Democracy (this is funded by the US Congress) has continuously spilled millions of gallons of oil in Ecuador, and nobody talks about that as being a human rights issue.

Big powers should empathize with small and medium countries, she said. Yes, tell that to the USA and in your face, lady.

I think the title should be "Can the US survive without creating a war with China".

Excellent panel. America is preparing for a war over Taiwan and is the main factor attempting to cripple 59:33 China by applying severe export controls. It is very sad to see what is going on.

I liked the fireworks towards the 2nd half. Can't say the same about the quality of the audio

We are intering in the era of multi polar moment so in Asia like Europe as a region of multi powers like India Japan Australia and Indonesia bring some problems for China to dominant Asia as continental power. Presence of US as great naval power also bring great weakness for China as great power that may bring regional tensions among China and others regional powers like India Japan or Australia. China needs good regional allies if they want to bear great global player.

Good seminar but marred by so many poor comments of Moderator

Don't expect China kowtow to anyone big or small, China is there please take wisdom to coexist with it

Can someone enlightened me. Why did China , on one hand benefited from joining WTO, an international trade organization bound by international rule of law, uplifting millions of china citizens and became the number 2 world economy. On the other hand, unilaterally militarised the south china sea, disregard international law when Philippines and other neighboring countries claims those island china militarised. When the law benefits you, you go with it. When the law against you, you rejected and disregard it. I am a Chinese and I don't believe in any of our teachings, had taught us to behave this way. I am puzzled

Putting the issue of sovereignty aside, China is right to build these bases in SCS. China is surrounded by 300 US military bases. What does US expect them to do. Keep all their naval assets within the 12 nautical miles zone. You don't need to be a military expert to understand that China have to disperse most of their naval assets far away from their shores. This is the reason why China need overseas bases.

Prof Chan Heng Chee, thank you for your crisp, perceptive and honest views. Hats off to you!

War with China is inevitable due to US economy bottoming down that requires war to jumpstart their military industrial complex thus the recovery of their economy. War also makes the price of oil to hover upward thus strengthening petrodollar. So US looking for war is not about threat from the other side its about economy.🙏

Yes it can be avoided if we look of it from a bigger picture. Mankind is not alone in the universe.

It can be avoided but USA will settle it on the battlefield as they have always done. This time nuclear weapons are involved.

The topic should be "We MUST avoid war with China" - it would be economically disastrous. Not to mention that it would set up a world where globalism itself would be difficult to maintain because everyone will become more defensive and aim for more self sufficiency (a horrible waste of resources). What is needed are new systems to enforce trustworthiness and largely to maintain that status quo in a way that no new wars start. Like with Taiwan. The Taiwanese just want to maintain the status quo. They don't want a war that will get them killed or otherwise ruin their lives (just breaking trade with China might ruin their lives)... Nobody needs this nonsense. And we need some way to get the US to calm down about the threat to its international power. There are probably deals to be made that don't require massive mutual harm.

SOUND HAS BEEN SET TOO LOW. Thanks.

To avoid the war is simple, just ask US to remove their military from Asia. Hope all Asian countries in the region could join force for the goal of avoiding the war.

If the old men just retire then maybe the new generation will have a clean slate to build relationships on and even better skills

The United States has inherited the British tradition of continental balance, controlled Europe and Japan, controlled the ocean from the Americas, used Europe and Japan to clamp down on the Eurasian continent, used the concept of a nation-state to cut the Eurasian continent, restrain the tyrannical powers, stay outside the Eurasian continent, and pull a gang to fight One, to maintain maritime hegemony. It has worked well for hundreds of years. But it also limited the national strategy of the United States, which was limited to the 50 states because of race. For example, in the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period, the United States may only be the state of Qi, only to dominate, not the unified state of Qin. Originally thought that Europe was the Three Jin states, Russia was the state of Chu, and emotionally, China was the state of Qin and India was the state of Bashu. But now it seems that China has no such mental preparation at all, while Russia is completing this series of material and spiritual construction. Then Russia is Qin and China is Chu or Bashu. Since China only emphasizes that the economy cannot take the initiative to complete the military challenge in the integration of the Eurasian continent, under the attack of the hegemon, it can only rank second. This may be due to nationality, and it is engaged in the second national integration. Treat the Russians as Manchus and use the Singaporean method to let people of all ethnic groups take root, adjust with taxes, and live in proportion. After a few decades, the men and women of all ethnic groups who grew up together will naturally intermarry. It may be possible to achieve a global community of shared destiny with softness.

I hope they can avoid any war. We need no war. Make this world always in peace.

so, it all about self-interest. I use you, you use me. There is no forever friend or forever enemy

You only talked about the possibility of war between US and China but there is a possibility of Chinese aggression towards India and in recent times there was a clash between India China in the Himalayan region which was a Chinese mindset to give a lesson to India but eventually China got the essence of Indian military might and went back their holes. Apart from that this is not about only US Chinese relation. There is prominent problem inside China and the dominant mindset with their own people. Look at Xinjiang province where China exterminate the common right of the Uyghur community and they have been facing the atrocities of their religious identity. In every neighbouring nation China has a serious problem in order to dominate the other nation. Also Chinese policy to provide loan and blackmail to get the land in foreign nation. So China is not the only threat for US but China always been a problematic nation for others too

I would rather China is in control of Asia, it is like returning to our roots. Our fore fathers came from China and it is time the great grand children return to motherland embrace! Also, take note SG is surrounded by "you know who" and is always threatening to turn off our supply of water and food. So better be in good relationship with China. Remember how the Ang Mos British abandoned us in WW2? Can we still depend on the west to protect us?

In a country’s prosperity, under an ambitious leadership will post great problems not only to its neighbours, but to the whole world!

War is not avoided by talks like these, war is avoided by power parity. It’s important to understand Western wars is not life and death, such as Sunzi’s war; it’s about money and interest. For that, Americans will guarantee its own safety by staying far away from lethal attacks. So I would say Chinese just need enhance its capabilities to attract USA directly, so that USA would not get away if it attacks China. That’s the best strategy.

Where is George yeo

Overall Prof Chan Heng Chee has the best comments and arguments. She is sensible and honest with her answers while being diplomatic. I would say yes, China could have been "more generous" with Taiwan and China could have been "less greedy" with ASEAN regarding the dispute in the South China Sea. I cannot see how China will benefit from taking Taiwan by force and neither can I see how China could benefit by provoking its neighbors in the South China Sea.

What do you think

All countries have a Minisrty of Defence. Please use for that purpose only.

We want peace don't want war

Dr Luttwak makes sound points about the decision making in Beijing! You are a treasure Dr Luttwak!

Yes

The correct wording is Can War with America be avoided? And only the Pentagon can answer it

Chan Hee Chee is a professor?! Omg I feel sorry for her students!

The Question is why US wants to start the War??? China don't have intention of War nor be the ruler of the war. China just want to have trade and prosperous country. Prosperous not to China alone but those countries around them. A Nepali guy who work in my country once told me, he prefer China rather than India as China is all about LAW. Further when China rise they will help the neighbors as if there is discrepancy then there will be conflict. Therefore Nepali gain a lot of economic from China so that there be no envy...

Dr. Luttwak was so hilarious

Very good

USA don't any how start war warning

We should be prepared for any military conflicts between the two super power. Singapore is at high risk because of the US Naval base which has now became a detonating factor to Singapore security.

What is so different between China 1989 and US Jan 6th?

Aaaahhhh the US and the human rights……what rights?

中华人民共和国万岁万岁万万岁 🇨🇳🇨🇳🇨🇳 Long live the People's Republic of China 🇨🇳🇨🇳🇨🇳Vive la République Populaire de Chine 🇨🇳🇨🇳🇨🇳Viva la República Popular China 🇨🇳🇨🇳🇨🇳تحيا جمهورية الصين الشعبية 🇨🇳🇨🇳🇨🇳Да здравствует Да здравствует Китайская Народная Республика 🇨🇳🇨🇳🇨🇳

The code of conduct cannot be signed because some countries in South East Asia refused to compromise on joint explorations and are too obstinate on holding on to full sovereignty.

the two old men were talking brilliant and they got least time! please bring those two for next possible discussion....please....