The Arctic can be where Washington, Beijing thaw their ties

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As Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said in a much-quoted speech back in June, the United States and China need to find a way to work together if a new Cold War is to be avoided. The trouble is, there doesn't seem to be much to bind the two sides these days.

The fight against Covid-19 could have provided opportunity for the superpowers to collaborate for the common good. Regrettably, the pandemic has become far too politicised. US President Donald Trump's manipulation of the "Wuhan flu" and what he repeatedly labels the "China virus" in support of his re-election bid, and Chinese President Xi Jinping's drive to take advantage of the virus by aggressively pushing China's goals, have infuriated and repelled in equal measure.

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