Regarding the article by Mr Bilahari Kausikan, Chairman of the Middle East Institute at the National University of Singapore,published on 24th February in the Straits Times, the Spokesperson of the Chinese Embassy in Singapore made the following comments:

We read Mr Bilahari's article published in the Straits Times on February 24th entitled "China's inflection point and the CCP's fundamental dilemma". This article, misinterpreting and smearing China's political system and the leadership system under the Communist Party of China, is no different from the stereotype cliche of Western anti-China voices. At the difficult periods when Chinese people are making enormous efforts and sacrifices to fight the outbreak of the novel coronavirus pneumonia, the sense of justice of the author to ideologically denigrate China and sell his long-held prejudice and even hostility towards China has to be questioned.

Whether the shoe fits or not, only the wearer knows. Whether a country's development path is right or not, only depends on whether it is in line with the country's reality. The past 70 years witness that China has become the second largest economy from scratch. More than 800 million people have been lifted out of poverty, and people of all ethnic groups have enjoyed a stronger sense of gain and happiness. Such achievements, unique in human history, have been made under the leadership of the Communist Party of China and under the system of socialism with Chinese characteristics. It has not only benefited the Chinese people, but also brought abundant opportunities to the prosperity and development for the rest of the world. Facts have proved that China's political system and development path are the choices of history and of the people. It is this political system and development path that have effectively solved the social "principal contradictions" and various problems during China's development in different periods. Though Mr Bilahari himself did not deny China's great achievements, he still criticized the political system and the leadership system that created them. Actually it is logically self-contradictory.

Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, the Chinese people have closely united around the CPC Central Committee with General Secretary Xi Jinping at the core, worked hard and made new progress. Although the journey ahead will not be easy, our confidence and direction will not waver. Our firm commitment to uphold the CPC and the CPC Central committee with General Secretary Xi Jinping at the core will not waver. China is striving hard to modernize the system and capacity for governance. All constructive comments and suggestions are welcomed, but arrogance and prejudice through colored glasses are unacceptable.

This kind of arrogance and prejudice is manifested as the hostility towards anything related to China. 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. However, facts have proved and will continue to prove that nothing can derogate the advantages of the socialism with Chinese characteristics. The Communist Party of China will unremittingly lead the people in overcoming various difficulties and creating new miracles.

The Covid-19 is the enemy to all mankind. In response to the epidemic, General Secretary Xi jinping is in full command, and the whole country is united as one in the fight against the epidemic. All these efforts have delivered positive results, not only for China itself but also for other countries to win precious time in their efforts to prevent and control the disease. Mr Bilahari put the blame of the outbreak on China's political system. Then regarding to the H1N1 flu that originated in North America and spread worldwide, which one should be blamed? At the moment, what the world needs most is unity and trust, not the political virus that keeps people at bay.