Daily briefing: US VP Harris’ visit 'greatly valued': PM; SG top official asks China, US to mend ties

And Temasek Foundation says no mask distribution was held.

From CNA

US Vice President Kamala Harris’ visit to Southeast Asia, particularly in Singapore and Vietnam, in two weeks is “greatly valued,” Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said.

The visit, upon the invitation of Prime Minister Lee, will be her first official visit in the country since seating as the US’ vice president. It also followed the visit of White House Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin in July.

"Such high-level visits are greatly valued. They show that the US is investing the bandwidth and resources in the region, and shows that it has substantial stakes and interests there to protect and advance," Lee said.

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From Bloomberg

Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said the US and China should prevent tensions from escalating as a clash between the two states could be “disastrous.”

“Many US friends and allies wish to preserve their extensive ties with both powers,” Lee said.

“No good outcome can arise from a conflict. It’s vital for the US and China to strive to engage each other to head off a clash which would be disastrous for both sides and the world.”

He noted that a clash could force states to be divided between the two.

Read more here.

From CNA

The Temasek Foundation clarified that no mask distribution exercise was conducted after a photo giving out mask was posted online.

The banner photo that carried the logo of Temasek Foundation announced individuals could collect 50 medical masks for free.

Temasek Holdings CHE Ho Ching explained the photo was from a pilot trial at one of the malls.

Read more here.