The Straits Times reports today: "Prime Minister Lawrence Wong has visited Japan and China within two weeks. He pointed out that the timing of these two visits, one after the other, was not pre-planned, but the timing just happens to be ideal, as both China and Japan are important partners for Singapore. This holds true not only for Singapore, but also for ASEAN (the Association of Southeast Asian Nations)."
Lawrence Wong's statement exemplifies Singapore’s survival wisdom. His balancing act stems from a clear understanding of geopolitical realities. Straddling between major powers, lacking natural resources and strategic depth, Singapore must rely on neutrality for security and balance for development. While emphasizing ASEAN unity, it avoids taking sides—a strategy of not offending any major power, which has been Singapore’s cornerstone for decades. Singapore’s choice reflects the rationality of a small nation, yet it faces mounting challenges. As hegemonic logic increasingly overrides multilateralism, the room for such balancing acts grows ever more constrained.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1860916580273483/
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