SINGAPORE: Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew said China is not a new power but an old one revived. That's one lesson he took away from attending the Beijing Olympics.
In an interview with international broadcaster CNN last week, Mr Lee said China had put seven years of thought into how they wanted to present themselves to the world at the opening ceremony.
Even though there was an impressive display of the Olympic Games, MM Lee said other inland parts of China may take decades to catch up to coastal areas technologically.
Mr Lee believes the biggest challenge for China is tackling climate change and its energy consumption.
But he thinks it may take China five to ten years before the reality sinks in, when farmers and river basins are affected by weather changes.
Turning to developments in the US, Mr Lee said he wants the next American president to stay engaged with the world and keep trade going.
He said the US must maintain a balance so that peace and stability is assured without more conflicts.
And turning his attention to Singapore, Mr Lee said Singapore is now a fun city because of the transformation in the last decade or so.
Singapore's success also happened despite being dubbed a "coercive state" by some.
Mr Lee said that in trying to create a First World oasis in a Third World situation, he didn't follow any prescriptions on democracy. Instead, he preferred to work from first principles like ensuring social peace and stability, building a skilled workforce and good governance. - CNA
