Washington, D.C. – U.S. Representative Colleen Hanabusa (HI-01), a member of the House Armed Services Committee, along with U.S. Representative Randy Forbes (R-VA), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Seapower and Projection Forces, met with Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong to discuss Singapore-U.S. relations and our country’s role in the Asia-Pacific region.
“Today’s discussion with Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong reaffirmed the critical role the U.S. plays in ensuring stability within the Asia-Pacific, through a continuous military presence, which facilitates our economic, diplomatic, and humanitarian capabilities,” said Hanabusa.
“Prime Minister Lee spoke of Singapore’s leading role in international trade and highlighted the importance that theU.S. Navy plays by maintaining freedom of navigation in the region. He also recalled the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami, and how the people of Singapore knew that help had come once a U.S. aircraft carrier arrived on the scene.
“We must understand that as a region, our security and prosperity are increasingly tied to each other, and that a robust, long-term presence of American forces in the region has ensured peace and stability in Asia for the past sixty years. Expanding this presence over the next decade to meet 21st century security challenges is vital to U.S. and global interests. I thank Prime Minister Lee for taking the time to meet with us today.”