Singapore hopes to maintain a good relationship with China and the United States.Singapore can provide private and confidential suggestions to both parties in private to enhance mutual understanding between the two major powers, rather than publicly.
On February 15, 1898, the US battleship Benin exploded in Port Havana.At that time, Cuba was part of the Spanish Empire, and the tension between Spain and the United States had been brewing for some time, mainly because Cuba struggled independence.There is no evidence that Spain must be responsible for the sinking of the Benin; however, the lack of evidence does not prevent US newspapers from competing for attention.The New York Journal and New York World have stubborn and biased reports, igniting the fanatical flames of nationalist flames, and spawning the popular slogan "Remember The MAINE".
The war broke out.The United States seized Cuba, the Philippines, Puerto Rico and Guam from Spain.The consequences of the Burine incident warned us how biased and instigated reports caused bilateral relations between countries to break.
For a long time, Western reports have been inherently prejudiced to China.The Chinese government is regarded as an authoritarian communist regime.These prejudice accusations in Xinjiang, the accusations of "racial extinction", China's unfair trade behavior that caused the United States to impose trade tariffs, and the worst.It is particularly prominent.If you want to bridge the increasingly expanding Chinese and Western differences, the Western world must have a more detailed interpretation of China.
The close relationship between Singapore and the West and China allows Singapore to have unique advantages and can explain China in a neutral way to the West world.
The relationship between Singapore and China is intricate.Most of Singapore's ancestors come from China, mainly Fujian and Guangdong Province.These Chinese Chinese have long helped China to resist foreign aggression.During the heyday of Western imperialism in the 19th century, Zhang Fanglin, a charity born in Singapore, donated huge sums to help Fuzhou resist France's aggression.After the Japanese army invaded China in 1937, Chen Jiageng served as the chairman of the Nanyang Overseas Chinese Federation of Refugees to raise funds for China.During the Second World War, the anti -Japanese hero Lin Mousheng was a member of the 136 unit and sneaked into the occupied Malaya.However, he was arrested and tortured by the Japanese army, and the Chinese Kuomintang government awarded his major general.The Xinghai, who has studied the Yeung Ching School, who is currently the current sea of Yangzheng Primary School, created the Yellow River when the war of anti -Japanese war was the most intense.Chinese school children are still learning to sing this song so far, and Lang Lang performed at the opening ceremony of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.
However, this history does not mean that Singapore's instinct is consistent with China.In fact, from the 1950s to the 1970s, China has always supported the communist rebellion of Singapore and Malaysia.As a result, the Singaporean government led by the People's Action Party holds doubts and hostility for groups who are considered to be supported by the Chinese government.During this period, especially after leaving Malaysia in 1965, Singapore relied on the West, especially the United Kingdom and the United States to ensure military security and economic growth.It wasn't until China implemented reform and opening up in the late 1970s and stopped supporting the communist movement in the region that Singapore and China finally achieved normalization.
Singapore's view of China is mainly based on its relationship with China and the West.Therefore, Singapore's reports on China have not regarded China as a prejudice to competitors or allies.
Singapore's largest Chinese newspaper and the Morning Post in mainland China, as well as the special agent of Chinese speakers in Taipei and Hong Kong.By publishing Chinese and English comments from all over China and Hong Kong and Taiwan, Lianhe Zaobao provides a diversified perspective on China.The Lianhe Zaobao report was criticized by the West and China, which proved its relative neutrality.In July 2023, the Washington Post published an article accusing the joint Morning Post of propaganda with China.On the other hand, Chinese media commentators accused the Morning Post of "studying the United States as teachers and teaching the Chinese government to do things."Similarly, public intellectuals in Singapore do not necessarily accept the Chinese threat theory that is advocated by the West and prevailed among the United States and allies.
Although the relationship between Singapore and China is constantly developing, Singapore still maintains closely unofficial relations with Taiwan.Therefore, Singapore can play a constructive role in managing cross -strait relations in the Taiwan Strait.If mainland China and Taiwan want to achieve reconciliation, Singapore is an ideal place for startup negotiations.
Singapore has become a neutral place for officials and politicians on both sides of the Taiwan Strait.On November 7, 2015, the meeting between Taiwan Ma Ying -jeou and Chinese President Xi Jinping was a remarkable example.Singapore can meet and negotiate in mainland China, Taiwan and the United States.In the United States, any discussion about Taiwan issues will be accompanied by fierce words, just as we see what we see in Taipei during the unknown visit of Taipei in the then Speaker of the House of Representatives, and this kind of words will not appear in SingaporeEssence
During the Berlonnenian war, Melos's fate fully reflects the danger of maintaining negative neutrality in the competition of small powers.Miros refused to give up neutrality and instead supported Athens, causing the people to be massacre after being captured by the Athens army.Singapore does not have the real danger of being fate in Milos.People hope that the more rational politicians and soldiers of all parties will not push the matter to a desperate situation.However, the small country in the gap between the great powers is still vulnerable to the threat of trade embargo, cyber attacks, and non -national behavior.
Singapore hopes to maintain a good relationship with China and the United States.Singapore can provide private and confidential suggestions to both parties in private to enhance mutual understanding between the two major powers, rather than publicly.At the same time, in order to fight the ignorance of western social hazards and the increasingly rising anti -Asian prejudice, Singaporeans should not be afraid of bluntness.
Neutral and meticulous sounds like Singapore may help ease the tension between the United States and China.There is a famous saying in the legal community: listening to the opponent's opinion (Audi Alteram Partem).In the huge echo caves manufactured by Western media and public knowledge space, this meticulous sound is important, and Singapore is in a favorable position, which can make such neutral sounds in private and public.
The author is Li Guangqian, Professor Li Guangqian, Yangbang Xiaoxiao Law School of Singapore
This article was originally contained in the Asian Peace Project website. This project is an initiative initiated by the Asian Research Institute of the National University of Singapore to promote Asian peace.
Golden Shun Translation
