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Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said Asian countries could be forced to choose between China and the United States. The announcement was made on the last day of the annual summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). US Vice President Mike Pence attended the conference on behalf of the Trump administration.
Mr. Lee said, "If you are friends with two countries in different camps, it is sometimes possible to get along with both. Sometimes it's harder to get along with both.
"I think it is very desirable that we do not have to take sides, but sometimes ASEAN may choose one or the other.
"I hope it's not going to happen soon."
Singapore is a member of ASEAN alongside Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, the Philippines, Myanmar, Cambodia, Brunei and Laos since its establishment in 1967.
Despite the fact that countries have important ties with the United States, they are also closely linked to Beijing.
However, many countries in Southeast Asia have their own problems with China.
Brunei, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines and Vietnam are all in conflict with the super-state over their land claims in the disputed South China Sea.
Controversially, Mr. Pence said that the United States regarded ASEAN as an "irreplaceable strategic partner."
Republican brand Donald Trump has intensified trade tensions with Beijing this year, hitting Beijing with tariffs rising to 250 billion dollars (195 billion pounds) from Chinese imports.
China reacted with taxes targeting $ 110 billion worth of US goods.
Vice President Mike Pence confirmed that the Trump government would not move its position in the conflict.
US officials have warned that China is the world's biggest threat to the United States.
Christopher Wray, director of the FBI, said, "I would say that China is in many ways the largest, most complicated and most enduring counter-intelligence threat we face.
"China is fighting tomorrow, and the day after tomorrow and the day after tomorrow.
"And it affects every sector of our economy, every state in the country and just about every aspect of what is dear to us."
Chinese President Xi Jinping and Mr. Trump will meet in Argentina in late November to discuss ongoing trade tensions.
Mr. Pence said, "They know the position of our administration.
