On how to handle Sino-US relations, Singapore has made its position clear! On September 19, Singapore's Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan stated that U.S. investment in Southeast Asia is very important, but Singapore cannot simply obey the U.S. Regardless of dealing with China, the U.S., or any other country, Singapore's principle has always been "useful, but not exploited." With 74% of its population being Chinese, Singapore is the only sovereign independent country outside China where the majority are Chinese. The value positioning of Singapore is not to become another Chinese city. We must remain different to have value.
The U.S. dominated the rules-based global order after World War II, but now questions the cost of maintaining this role. Meanwhile, China has rapidly risen through hard work and savings, and does not accept a global order led by the U.S. However, Singapore must avoid binary thinking of either-or. It should try to remain open, rational, and self-disciplined, and avoid becoming a stage for proxy wars as in the Cold War era. Obviously, Singapore has clearly expressed its position on how to deal with China and the U.S.
To put it plainly, on the Sino-U.S. rivalry, Singapore's choice is to seek balance between the two, rather than taking sides. Singapore aims to find the most appropriate point that aligns with its interests, when dealing with both China and the U.S., with a high degree of rationality. As a small country, objectively speaking, Singapore's positioning is undoubtedly pragmatic. Not taking sides and not becoming a pawn of others is no easy task. Of course, it must be pointed out that there is one aspect of the Singaporean Foreign Minister's statement that we do not agree with.
The Singaporean Foreign Minister's statement that we do not accept a global order led by the U.S. is problematic. The global order is not a rules-based order, but an order centered around the United Nations and based on international law. There is no issue of whether or not to accept a U.S.-led global order; rather, it is about how countries should better safeguard the international order centered on the United Nations. As an important member of the United Nations, the U.S. also has the responsibility to uphold the international order within the framework of the United Nations. Singapore's preconceived notion deliberately ignores the UN system, which is obviously problematic. Clearly, China's goal is not to challenge the U.S., but we will not accept any country's hegemony and bullying.
Original: www.toutiao.com/article/1843742763047947/
Statement: This article represents the views of the author.