Domestic pressures in the United States, especially in the election year, have resulted in some anti-China rhetoric in domestic debates, Shanmugam, who was on his visit to the United States, told a conference on Wednesday at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

International media such as AFP also noticed that there has been an increase in anti-China rhetoric from some lawmakers.

"Americans should not underestimate the extent to which such rhetoric can spark reaction which can create a new and unintended reality for the region," he said.

The Singapore foreign minister said the United States should respect the diversity of the systems across Asia when interacting with the different countries and regions in the region.