Chinese embassy slams ex-S’pore diplomat Bilahari for ‘misinterpreting and smearing’ China’s political system

SINGAPORE — China’s embassy in Singapore has slammed former diplomat Bilahari Kausikan over a commentary in The Straits Times, saying that it misinterpreted and smeared China’s political and leadership systems, and was no different from the stereotypical “cliche of Western anti-China voices”.

The embassy said in its 589-word broadside published on its Facebook page on Tuesday (Feb 25): “All constructive comments and suggestions are welcomed, but arrogance and prejudice through coloured glasses are unacceptable.

“This kind of arrogance and prejudice is manifested as… hostility towards anything related to China.”

The embassy added: “Aiming to obstruct China’s sound development momentum, they attack China's political system and development model, and try to undermine China's social stability.”

Asked for his response to the Chinese embassy’s criticism, Mr Bilahari, who chairs the Middle East Institute at the National University of Singapore, told TODAY: “What else could they say? All Chinese diplomats are under pressure to respond to President Xi’s instruction to assert China’s narrative.”

He added that the embassy did not address any substantive point that he made.

“Instead, they raise arguments against points I did not make, which is quite typical. It is not something I can take seriously.”

Read more at https://www.todayonline.com/singapore/chinese-embassy-slams-ex-spore-diplomat-bilahari-misinterpreting-and-smearing-chinas