If you interview world leaders, everybody will say they are for free trade. But what they mean by it and what they do when they say they are pro free trade, you have to watch and see.

Some suggestions for you :

We have long depended on an America which has got a clear sense of its stakes in the world and how much it depends on the world as well as how much the world and its allies and friends depend on the United States of America, and we hope this will continue.

You need people who have their own views, whose views you respect, whom you can have a productive disagreement with, and work out ideas which you might not have come up with, or who improve on ideas you had.

Singaporeans generally feel more secure these days. One of our tasks is to remind them that this, a result of a continuing act of will and an appropriate sense of insecurity, is very helpful.

If you go overseas and meet people, you can detect a Singaporean from across the street - the way he dresses, slightly; the way he talks; the way he acts. There is a persona which is recognizable and which we are proud of.

To represent the nation, you must have multiracial representation.

China has been developing, growing in economic strength and its influence in the region. That will continue.

We are happy to see China prospering; we are happy to see China playing a constructive and positive role in the region.

Overall, we think religion is a good thing. I mean, if we were godless society, we would have many other problems; the communists found that out.

With Singaporeans, you speak English, you're well-educated, the doors open everywhere.

We know India is very focussed on black money; it is a very high-focus subject and we have been very careful to make sure the investments into India are legitimate. There is no 'round-tripping' or hot money or bad money being funnelled through Singapore.

You have an administration which understands America's international responsibilities and interests, but you have a population which is anxious, tired, and doesn't want to bear any burden and pay any price. And that's very difficult for whoever becomes president.

No government prospers by saying, 'I don't need to do anything. Just by being there, we have made the country thrive.'

Countries in Asia - Singapore, certainly, but many other countries too - are good friends to both China and America, and we would like to be good friends with both.

Over half a century working together on multiple issues, Singaporeans and Americans have made many enduring and close personal friendships.