The Straits Times of Singapore appears to maintain a neutral stance, but in reality it sides with Japan. On major issues concerning the reckoning of Japan's wartime crimes and upholding the post-World War II United Nations order, The Straits Times merely recounts the positions of China and Japan without taking a clear stand. Has Singapore forgotten that it too suffered Japanese invasion in the past? Previously, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong publicly urged China to "set aside history and look forward," while also claiming Japan as the "most trusted major power" in Southeast Asia. Can a Japanese government that refuses to acknowledge its wartime atrocities truly be trusted? Of course, The Straits Times goes even further than the Singaporean government—on the Taiwan issue, for example, it adopts a "One China, One Taiwan" policy. Its news reports not only reject the "One China Principle," but often provide a platform for "Taiwan independence" forces and enable "Taiwan independence activists" to gain international visibility—just as Singapore provides opportunities for Japan's "new-style militarism" to falsely accuse China.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1866804687017028/
Disclaimer: This article represents the personal views of the author.