Articles by George Yeo

George Yeo: APEC was built to unite the Pacific. Can it do so again?

APEC was founded to keep both sides of the Pacific connected, but growing geopolitical divisions threaten that vision. In a CGTN programme on APEC recorded at Renmin University of China, former Singapore foreign minister George Yeo argues that the upcoming Shenzhen summit could help restore the spirit of cooperation that brought the forum into being. This is an edited version of his speech.

George Yeo

14 Oct 2026

George Yeo: Cross-strait relations from a Singaporean's viewpoint

Singapore's former Foreign Minister George Yeo gave a keynote speech at the Asia-Pacific Forward Forum in Taipei, where he spoke on cross-strait relations, the "one China" policy, and the future of mainland China and Taiwan, as well as his personal experiences interacting with individuals from both sides of the Taiwan Strait.

George Yeo

15 Sep 2023

George Yeo: ASEAN's advantage in an emerging multipolar world

Delivering the keynote address of the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute's Regional Outlook Forum 2023, Singapore's former Foreign Minister George Yeo spoke about the ways that ASEAN's weakness is also a strength in the transition to a multipolar world.

George Yeo

10 Jan 2023

George Yeo: China's rise is creating a multipolar world that could benefit the US

George Yeo, Singapore's former foreign minister, delivered the Goh Keng Swee Lecture on Modern China to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the National University of Singapore's East Asian Institute on 15 December. In covering issues of the day such as China-US rivalry, the Russia-Ukraine war, and the South China Sea, he concludes that a multipolar world is good for both China and the US. This is the full transcript of his speech.

George Yeo

16 Dec 2022

George Yeo: Charm and China in a multipolar world

George Yeo, Singapore's former foreign minister, gave a talk titled "China in a Multipolar World" to students of the Master in Public Administration and Management (MPAM) programme taught in Chinese at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy on 3 November. He spoke about time and patience needed for a multipolar superstructure to emerge, and for earlier dominant players such as the US to adjust to the new order. In the meantime, it is in China's interest to master the art of charm, knowing when to go hard or soft in its relations with the US and Europe, its neighbours India and Japan, and issues such as the South China Sea and Taiwan. This is an edited transcript of his speech and excerpts from the Q&A session.

George Yeo

19 Nov 2021

Former Singapore FM George Yeo on CCP's centenary: The Chinese revolution continues

George Yeo, Singapore's former foreign minister, shares his thoughts on China's evolution with Lianhe Zaobao on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese Communist Party. He sees the milestone as just a pitstop in the long journey of the Chinese nation. Fresh thinking and innovation will be needed as the country progresses. Equally important, developing a "broad-minded and big-hearted nationalism" which is humble and learns from others will keep China on the path of being a great nation. Here are edited excerpts from the interview.

George Yeo

01 Jul 2021

Reflections by George Yeo: Celebrating 30 years of diplomatic relations between Singapore and China

Singapore's former Foreign Minister George Yeo looks back at the years of engagement between Singapore and China, including the period before the two countries established formal diplomatic ties. He says that while Singapore's "Chinese-ness" had some part to play in building strong ties over the years, it is paramount that this be distinguished from Singapore's status as an independent, sovereign, multiracial country. As China continues to rise and US-China tensions continue to fester, ASEAN and Singapore would need to be watchful of issues that could derail relations with China. Notwithstanding, there is much room for cooperation that the region can be sanguine about.

George Yeo

28 Oct 2020

Covid-19: A historic opportunity for China and the world

The Covid-19 outbreak that started in Wuhan, China has spread with a vengeance to the rest of the world. The public health crisis will have longer-term impacts on the global economy and geopolitics. How has China and the rest of the world responded to the pandemic thus far? How will these responses change the league table of nations in international relations? How can China build on its strength and take full advantage of the situation to emerge a winner? Former Singapore Cabinet minister George Yeo ruminates on these questions and concludes that we are standing before a historic opportunity to build a safer world.

George Yeo

23 Apr 2020

George Yeo: Human solidarity in a fragmenting world

From a look at the recent street protests and happenings in Hong Kong, Singapore's former Foreign Minister George Yeo explores issues of social media, societal fragmentation, wealth inequality, and big data that have implications for the wider world. Will big data and AI lead to an ever-growing concentration of power? Is the future destined for the dystopia envisioned in George Orwell's 1984? Or will clever computer minds succeed in creating decentralised internet webs and decentralised AI? While human relationships and institutions adapt to the revolution in technology, we can expect a long transition marked by disruption and confusion. What is needed to overcome the present phase? This is George Yeo's speech at the Induction Comitia 2020 of the Academy of Medicine Singapore on 17 January 2020.

George Yeo

20 Jan 2020

Rise of China and the future of small nations

Who is benefiting from the China-US conflict? How should small nations like Singapore find their place in a world in flux? What is the Chinese way of statecraft? And the real reason for American's concern with Huawei and the 5G technology. Singapore's former Foreign Minister George Yeo shared his insights at the "Chairman's Forum" which was organised by the Sohar International in Oman on 8 October. This is an extract of his speech.

George Yeo

29 Oct 2019