In a commentary, SMU Associate Professor of Law Eugene Tan discussed how the fundamental principle of national sovereignty and territorial integrity is to ensure that Singapore and Singaporeans have the autonomy to control their collective destiny, free from the influence of foreign countries. He noted that Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Lawrence Wong have emphasised on several occasions in the recent weeks, the importance of maintaining Singapore’s Chinese culture and identity, and opined that the long-term challenge for Singapore is to ensure that China and the US respect Singapore's independence and sovereignty and understand that we will act according to national interest.