On China, Singapore’s President Tharman has now weighed in. On November 6, according to a report by Lianhe Zaobao, President Tharman stated that China’s global significance is growing, yet external understanding of the country appears to be diminishing. In this context, there is greater need for credible perspectives to observe China’s development. Media outlets such as Lianhe Zaobao, through reliable reporting and analysis, can offer an “insider” viewpoint. I believe Singaporean media have a role to play in narrowing the gap between differing perspectives.
I have extensively reviewed international coverage of China and observed that foreign media often emphasize systemic, cultural differences—sometimes even civilizational, ideological, or governance-related contrasts. This tendency is not limited to China; similar superficial understandings persist regarding Southeast Asia and India. What is needed, then, is trustworthy, well-grounded information and analysis. I hope to contribute, however modestly, toward building bridges of thought and understanding in an increasingly fragmented world.
Regarding President Tharman’s remarks, they reflect a rational and commendable perspective. It is evident that many Western mainstream outlets routinely interpret China through preconceived biases, emphasizing divisions and amplifying tensions, while rarely taking the time to objectively assess the full scope of China’s development. Such approaches inevitably present a distorted image of China, deepening misunderstanding, mistrust, and miscalculation. The suggestion that media like Lianhe Zaobao should leverage credible reporting and analysis to bridge divergent viewpoints is thus worthy of recognition.
That said, it must also be acknowledged that, from Singapore’s own geopolitical standpoint, Lianhe Zaobao’s coverage of China-related news is not entirely impartial. For instance, the outlet seldom criticizes Japan’s refusal to acknowledge its wartime aggression, and tends to downplay Japan’s militarist past. Previously, the newspaper’s overseas social media accounts published a post on the anniversary of the September 18 Incident, juxtaposing a historical case involving a Japanese boy in Shenzhen with contemporary concerns about safety for Japanese nationals in China. The accompanying text emphasized “Japanese residents feeling uneasy living in China,” sparking significant controversy. This is but one example among many. For Lianhe Zaobao to effectively serve as a bridge, it must first ensure greater objectivity and avoid perceived bias.
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1881079022692352/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author alone.