Reason to be hopeful about future of Sino-S'pore ties: China's Global Times

BEIJING — While ties between Singapore and China may ebb and flow, both sides can be optimistic about growing the relationship, said a commentary in the nationalistic state-owned Global Times newspaper on Wednesday (Sept 20).

Titled “Lee Hsien Loong visit augurs increasing cooperation”, the article characterised Mr Lee’s ongoing visit to China as a surprise, adding that it is seen as Singapore’s attempt “to adjust its Beijing policy” after a chill in bilateral ties last year.

The newspaper claimed that under Mr Lee’s leadership, Singapore has deviated from its traditional strategy of maintaining a balance between China and the United States, and this has “sparked criticisms”.

It cited how Hong Kong’s seizure of Singapore armoured vehicles last year, Mr Lee’s absence from a Belt and Road Initiative summit in Beijing in May as well as Malaysia’s construction of a deep water port in Malacca in partnership with China have “touched a nerve” in the Republic.

It also said while Mr Lee and other Singapore leaders have been talking positively about China, “it’s too early to conclude that he (Mr Lee) has made up his mind to sizeably adjust the country’s diplomatic strategies”.

Singapore will still depend on the US for politics and security, and its identity as a US ally will not change in the foreseeable future, the op-ed added.

“But as long as Singapore doesn’t stir up trouble against China among Asean (Association of South-east Asian Nations) countries, playing out its role as an outpost for the US in Melaka in a moderate way, China needs to develop inclusive and cooperative relationship with Singapore.”

The Global Times also noted that the Republic is influential in Asean despite its small size and population, adding that “a sound China-Singapore relationship is not about Beijing yielding to Singapore but to the mutual benefit of both countries”.

“Beijing has more leverages in dealing with Singapore, but restoring friendly cooperation with Singapore based on rules and regulations is more beneficial to China.”

It added that rebalancing between Beijing and Washington “seems to be a new diplomatic design for Singapore”.

“The country has played a positive role in China’s reform and opening up. Despite all the ups and downs, there is reason to be optimistic about the future Sino-Singaporean relationship.”

The Global Times is wholly owned by the People’s Daily, the mouthpiece of the ruling Communist Party.

Chinese officials are sometimes thought to use it as a rhetorical hammer, but have also admonished it for its often bombastic language.

It has commented frequently on Singapore, albeit not always in a positive light.

Last November, after several Terrex armoured vehicles of the Singapore Armed Forces were seized in Hong Kong following military exercises in Taiwan, it warned that the Republic’s “hypocrisy” over its military relationship with Taipei could harm its relations with Beijing. AGENCIES