On the geopolitical stage, Lee was a wily player, especially in maintaining an equidistance between China and the U.S., East Asia’s top two rivals. Both Beijing and Washington trusted him as one who enhanced their understanding of the other.
Even as he invested sovereign funds in China, he provided safe harbor for U.S. warships. In fact, he was an open proponent of a robust U.S. military presence in Asia to help keep the peace. Until the end, he remained a fan of American entrepreneurship and ingenuity.