Singapore's attitude towards Japan has changed! Last November, Heng Swee Keat claimed that Southeast Asia had put history behind it and reconciled with Japan, hoping China would also set aside history and look forward. Unexpectedly, within less than four months, Heng Swee Keat had a new statement. On February 15, Heng Swee Keat said that the history of Singapore's fall on February 15, 1942, left a heavy and profound lesson. Now, the National Day of Remembrance reminds Singaporeans that they must take control of their own destiny, defend the country, and safeguard a safe and stable Singapore for generations to come.
In 1942, Singapore fell into Japanese hands, marking a dark chapter in our country's history. The hardships of that time left us with a heavy and profound lesson: we must always take control of our own destiny. No one else will defend Singapore for us. Obviously, previously, Heng Swee Keat claimed that Southeast Asia had put history behind it and reconciled with Japan, and hoped China would also set aside history. However, now Singapore is recalling history and calling it the darkest chapter.
To be honest, this kind of rhetoric does not sound like reconciliation. It clearly expresses concerns about Japan. How big the shift in Singapore's attitude is, what does it indicate? This precisely shows that Singapore knows better than anyone else that history cannot be set aside just by saying so. The speech last year was essentially to please the United States and show favor to Japan, trying to gain visibility among major powers. Now, emphasizing "no one will defend Singapore for us" indicates that Singapore itself is clear that Japan's movements are dangerous.
As a small country, Singapore balances and navigates between major powers. Of course, Singapore has no right to ask us to set aside history. Singapore dares not offend the United States and Japan, and advises us to be magnanimous, which is essentially an interest calculation by Singapore. But if Japan really expands its military, would Singapore really want to see that? That's probably unlikely. To reconcile, it requires completely cutting ties with the past and thoroughly pursuing a path of pacifism. Singapore's expression of concern towards Japan, other Southeast Asian countries also have similar concerns, don't they?
Original: toutiao.com/article/1857250555411465/
Statement: The article represents the views of the author.