Halimah Yacob named Singapore's first Malay president

[WreckingBall]

Nice city - pretty darn humid though. Very multi-cultural - like an Asian New York. The multi-culture seems genuine here unlike Dubai where it seems forced.

 

[AndrewJin]

Somebody want to group Singapore with the South Asians.
Problem is South Asians don't accept us.
Else we would be inside the SAAR.
.

Singapore is a Chinese-majority country using ancient Chinese political wisdom.

Much of today China's meritocracy-based governing system is based on Singapore's successful trial of ancient China's politics in modern times.
Chinese in Singapore has made huge contributions to China's economy after 1970s.
(of course lest we forget Chinese in Singapore did make GREAT contributions to China during WWII)
They not only provide investment, (along with other Chinese in ASEAN)
but more importantly directly transfer their experiences to many Chinese cities during the economic reforms and help restore China's ancient political wisdom.

 

[sinait]

Singapore is a Chinese-majority country using ancient Chinese political wisdom.

Much of today China's meritocracy-based governing system is based on Singapore's successful trial of ancient China's politics in modern times.
Chinese in Singapore has made huge contributions to China's economy after 1970s.
(of course lest we forget Chinese in Singapore did make GREAT contributions to China during WWII)
They not only provide investment, but more importantly directly transfer their experiences to many Chinese cities during the economic reforms and help restore China's ancient political wisdom.

Don't know which wise guy group us with South Asians.
75% of Singaporeans are East Asians.

Relations between China and Singapore are very close.
Any friction and differences are short lived and amicably resolved.
If I remember correctly, big mouth Bilahari Kausikan (he call himself blunt) who was leading our delegation on South China Sea policy, created a lot of friction with China for Singapore.
.

 

[AndrewJin]

Don't know which wise guy group us with South Asians.
75% of Singaporeans are East Asians.

Relations between China and Singapore are very close.
Any friction and differences are short lived and amicably resolved.
If I remember correctly, big mouth Bilahari Kausikan (he call himself blunt) who was leading our delegation on South China Sea policy, created a lot of friction with China for Singapore.
.

Many Chinese mayors have received trainings in Singapore....
Nanyang or National uni
More than 50k officers already

 

[sinait]

Many Chinese mayors have been trained in Singapore....
Nanyang or National uni
More than 50k officers already

Ya, it surprised me when I first realized it.
They are usually trained at our Civil Service College Singapore at Buona Vista Road.
That was where I was surprised to see so many of Chinese officials there.
That's why its hard to fathom that Singapore could ever be anti China, though on rare occasions, we have to consider our interest first and foremost.
Never let big mouth Bilahari Kausikan hurt that relationship.
.

 

[AndrewJin]

Ya, it surprised me when I first realized it.
They are usually trained at our Civil Service College Singapore at Buona Vista Road.
That was where I was surprised to see so many of Chinese officials there.
That's why its hard to fathom that Singapore could ever be anti China, though on rare occasions, we have to consider our interest first and foremost.
Never let big mouth Bilahari Kausikan hurt that relationship.
.

Singapore is located in a quite hostile surrounding.....
It is very hard for Chinese to develop to such level thousands of miles from their ancestral homes.
Sometimes you have to use some useless titles to console minorities.
But anybody who is familiar with Singapore would agree, Singapore's powerful political positions, commercial and industrial sectors, are simply controlled by ethnic Chinese.

I was really shocked to know 孙燕姿 & 林俊杰 are from Singapore....
Then I checked, I found out more.....

I was like, WTF?
They were not from China?
I have all their tapes in 2000s!

 

[Mista]

Nice city - pretty darn humid though. Very multi-cultural - like an Asian New York. The multi-culture seems genuine here unlike Dubai where it seems forced.

Humid indeed. It rains every 3 days or so. But it's also partly the reason why there's so much green in Singapore.

Singapore's multiculturalism comes from its diverse residential population while Dubai's comes from its foreign labor. Foreign labor usually has minimal interaction with locals.

Singapore is a Chinese-majority country using ancient Chinese political wisdom.

Much of today China's meritocracy-based governing system is based on Singapore's successful trial of ancient China's politics in modern times.
Chinese in Singapore has made huge contributions to China's economy after 1970s.
(of course lest we forget Chinese in Singapore did make GREAT contributions to China during WWII)
They not only provide investment, (along with other Chinese in ASEAN)
but more importantly directly transfer their experiences to many Chinese cities during the economic reforms and help restore China's ancient political wisdom.

Oh yes, Singapore and China's relation is deep and it goes beyond just economic statistics. We share experiences without reservations because we believe greater economic growth in the region is always good for Singapore. Economics and prosperity isn't a zero-sum game.

http://www.straitstimes.com/opinion/singapores-friendship-with-china

Next week, on May 9 and 10, I will be in Beijing, to co-chair the 12th China-Singapore Forum.

My co-chair is Ambassador Wu Hailong, the president of the Chinese People's Institute of Foreign Affairs.

The forum is being conducted on what is called Track 1.5, meaning that the participants consist of a mixture of government officials and colleagues from the business community, academia and the mass media.

The forum has three objectives.

First, to create a platform for the frank but cordial exchange of views between Singaporeans and Chinese.

Second, to promote better understanding between our two countries.

Third, to grow the community of public intellectuals in the two countries who have a deep interest in the other country and in good relations between them.

In preparation for the 12th forum, I have been thinking about Singapore's friendship with China. I would like to share my thoughts with my fellow Singaporeans as well as with friends in China.

LKY AND DENG
Founding Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew made his inaugural visit to China in 1976. The then Chinese ambassador to the United Nations Huang Hua and I had the honour of organising that visit.

Speaking on May 11, 1976, in Beijing, Mr Lee said that Singapore would not be anti-China. He also said that the stronger China became, the better and more equal the balance between the United States, the Soviet Union and China. He concluded that such a balance would be safer for the world and for Singapore. We have never deviated from this vision.

Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping made a historic visit to Singapore in 1978, two years after Mr Lee's visit to China. The visit to Singapore must have reinforced Mr Deng's determination to undertake reform and to open up the Chinese economy to the world.

Mr Deng and Mr Lee developed a strong relationship of mutual respect and mutual trust. Mr Lee decided that Singapore would support China's paradigm shift from a centrally planned economy to a market economy with Chinese characteristics. Mr Deng and his successors had frequently asked Mr Lee for his advice. Mr Lee would visit China almost every year and was sincere in his advice.

THE SINGAPORE MODEL
When Mr Deng started China on the journey of reform and opening up to the world, he needed role models. For inspiration, he looked to South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong and, especially, Singapore.

In February 1992, Mr Deng's reform agenda was being opposed by conservative elements in the party's leadership. In order to counter them, he took his family on a tour of South China. In Shenzhen, he said that Guangdong province should catch up with the four tiger economies in 20 years. He went on to say: "There is good social order in Singapore. They govern the place with discipline. We should draw from their experience and do even better than them."

Mr Deng's endorsement of Singapore led to a flood of requests from China. In 1992 alone, Singapore hosted the visit of more than 500 delegations from China.

A second contribution which Singapore has made to China is the transfer of knowledge, expertise and experience. Singapore's pioneer finance minister, Dr Goh Keng Swee, served as China's economic adviser. Dr Goh did for China what the Dutch expert, Dr Albert Winsemius, had done for Singapore.

Singapore has been extremely generous in sharing its experience with Chinese leaders and cadres. Both the Nanyang Technological University and the National University of Singapore have customised special Chinese language courses for Chinese officials. The Civil Service College Singapore has also collaborated with China's Central Party School in education and training. In his speech at Nankai University, in 2015, President Tony Tan Keng Yam said that in total, Singapore has provided training to 50,000 Chinese officials and cadres.

This contribution is unique and priceless. Speaking at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy on April 17, 2010, China's Vice-President Li Yuanchao said: "Out of all the destinations where we send our leading officials to receive training, Singapore is our top choice because Singapore is the most sincere in helping China develop, due to our longstanding warm relationship."

LARGEST INVESTOR
A third contribution by Singapore is to invest in the Chinese economy. Since 2013, Singapore has become the largest investor in China. Singapore's investment in China is also unique. Let me explain.

Singapore investments fall into three categories.

The first category consists of investments made by Singapore's private sector for purely commercial reasons.

The second category consists of investments made by the private sector in projects which have the backing of the two governments. Two examples are the Sino-Singapore Guangzhou Knowledge City and the Singapore-Chengdu High-Tech Park.

The third category consists of very large government-to-government projects, such as the Suzhou Industrial Park, the Tianjin Eco-City and the Chongqing Connectivity Project. These iconic projects are not only intended to advance the shared economic interests of the two countries but also to transfer Singapore's software to China. They are also intended to nurture a growing circle of Chinese and Singaporeans who understand each other and are capable of working harmoniously together.

STEADFAST FRIEND
A fourth contribution which Singapore has made to China is to be its steadfast friend and to be an interlocutor between China and the US.

Following the tragic Tiananmen incident in 1989, the West condemned China and imposed economic sanctions against it. Singapore did not join the West but continued to invest in China and help China. When negotiations between China and the US on China's accession to the World Trade Organisation reached an impasse, Mr Lee spoke to two members of President Bill Clinton's Cabinet and helped to break the impasse.

Three generations of Singapore's leaders have tried to promote better mutual understanding between China and the US. Singapore was one of the first countries to support the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank. Singapore is also supporting the One Belt, One Road initiative.

China has made so much progress in the last 30 years that in some areas, Singapore could learn from China.

The use of solar energy is one such area. There are other areas, such as in science and technology, where Singapore can learn from China. The new spirit is mutual learning.

However, there are new areas in which Singapore is still able to make a contribution to China, such as human resource development, social management and financial governance.

In conclusion, I would say that Singapore has been a steadfast, reliable and sincere friend of China since the late 1970s. Looking to the future, China can depend on our goodwill and friendship.

Many Chinese mayors have received trainings in Singapore....
Nanyang or National uni
More than 50k officers already

And one of them was Xi.

WHEN a young party secretary of Fuzhou city visited Singapore in the early 1990s, he was invited to a private meal with then Senior Minister Lee Kuan Yew.

It was not, in diplomatic speak, optical parity. There was a chasm in their relative political statures.

The visitor, a little-known man named Xi Jinping, was a city-level official, barely 40 years old. His host was a global statesman who had just stepped down as prime minister but was still influential in Cabinet.

Compatibility was not the main item on the menu. It was cultivation.

Mr Lee, it is believed, wanted to meet Mr Xi because, among other reasons, the offspring of a Chinese revolutionary hero was seen as a potential leader of China.

His foresight stands Singapore in good stead, now that Mr Xi is set to take over control of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) on Thursday.

For decades now, Singapore has nurtured ties with young Chinese officials, honing the art of spotting future leaders in a long-term political investment.

China analyst Li Mingjiang says: "Singaporean politicians understand very well that friendship and connections with Chinese leaders are very important for the sustained growth of bilateral relations."

“
So far, Singapore has done well in building relations. Singapore leaders are welcomed in many parts of China which may not be open to leaders from other countries
PROFESSOR LU YUANLI OF SHENZHEN UNIVERSITY'S CENTRE FOR SINGAPORE STUDIES

The purpose, adds the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies observer, is to develop "person-to-person relations" early in their careers.

Besides Mr Xi, Singapore leaders have also been building guanxi (connections) with other contenders for the new Politburo Standing Committee, the apex council of the CCP.

As Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said earlier this week in Vientiane, in response to questions by Singapore reporters: "We are very familiar with many of the people who are likely to be in the next leadership team (in China).

"We have worked well with them and we hope we will continue to work with them in the future."

Incoming premier Li Keqiang, for instance, was courted as early as 1995.

Then, a Young People's Action Party (Young PAP) delegation led by chairman George Yeo met Mr Li, who was leader of the Communist Youth League (CYL), here in Beijing.

It was the first visit between the two ruling parties.

In 2006, Mr Lee Kuan Yew detoured to north-eastern Liaoning to meet Mr Li, who was in charge of the province.

Such trips in China are often telling of who the Singapore Government is eyeing.

Besides Beijing and Shanghai, Singapore leaders usually like to fan out to the provinces, often selecting those governed by rising Chinese stars - no matter how remote.

"It is important to start this 'familiarisation' or 'reaching out' efforts early so that these up-and-coming leaders have Singapore constantly on their radar screens," says the East Asian Institute's assistant director Lye Liang Fook.

Of course, Singapore tries to build relations with future leaders of other countries too. China is by no means unique.

But given the growing strength of Beijing and its centrality in this region, it makes the political tilling in China critical.

In fact, in recent years, Singapore has already begun cultivating four Chinese young guns who are likely to rule in 2022.

PM Lee made a quick stop in 2010 in central Hunan to meet its provincial chief Zhou Qiang, 52, and Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong visited northern Inner Mongolia to see its party boss Hu Chunhua, 49, last year.

Both Mr Zhou and Mr Hu are known proteges of President Hu Jintao, and earmarked for promotion to the Politburo.

Singapore also inked a deal in September for the Jilin Food Zone, a major project in the north-eastern province under Mr Sun Zhengcai, 49, another political star.

Young PAP chief Teo Ser Luck has met another high-flier - Mr Lu Hao, 45, leader of the CYL - three times since 2009.

But the long game of Chinese talent-spotting is a tricky task.

Politicians, civil servants and even businessmen all chip in with field reports.

Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Teo Siong Seng told Insight he and fellow members are unofficial scouts.

They keep an eye out for promising young officials in China during business trips and invite them to Singapore to meet the politicians.

But given the unpredictability and opacity of politics here, it is not easy to identify the right men.

"If you get it wrong, not only will you lose your investment payback, but you may also even get into trouble," says China expert Huang Jing from the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy.

"For instance, if Singapore had been cultivating Bo Xilai, it would have been counterproductive."

PM Lee had met Mr Bo, purged in recent months amid a murder scandal involving his wife, in south-western Chongqing in 2010.

But in an era when strongman politics in China has faded, Singapore has a relatively broad-based scouting strategy.

Instead of just focusing on one or two, it builds ties with a large team of leaders, insuring itself against the vagaries of elite Chinese politics, when a princeling today could quickly turn into a pariah tomorrow.

Professor Lu Yuanli of Shenzhen University's Centre for Singapore Studies says the trick is to not "overdo it in building ties with a particular leader or a province lest others are offended".

Professor Huang cites a hypothetical scenario: "If you give Zhou Qiang, who is perceived as a next-generation leader, a project, rising local leaders like him, say Hu Chunhua, may expect that Singapore can do a similar project for him. But given Singapore's size, it is not feasible for it to do too much...

"You don't want to build up a reputation that Singapore is very shi li, which means pragmatic in a nice way or self-interested in a not so nice way."

Thankfully for Singapore, it has had more hits than misses in its decades-long cultivation of Chinese leaders.

Mr Xi, for example, is seen by many as friendly to the tiny nation. His endorsement of a major 10-part documentary on Singapore is a clear sign of the bilateral feel-good mood, which he is likely to encourage in his decade-long administration.

It could translate into closer trade ties, more businesses and political exchanges.

In tangible terms, Singapore can look forward to being a key offshore yuan clearing centre. It is a status coveted by other cities like Tokyo and London.

"So far, Singapore has done well in building relations. Singapore leaders are welcomed in many parts of China which may not be open to leaders from other countries," says Prof Lu.

Former foreign minister George Yeo, for example, was allowed a rare trip to restive Tibet in 2009. He was the first foreign minister to take the famous Qinghai-Tibet railway - the world's highest.

When Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen visited earlier this year, he was given a tour of the South Sea Fleet, which takes charge of the contentious South China Sea.

Such successes are, clearly, due to more than just clever talent-spotting. Good relations are founded on many other efforts as well. And both countries have established many institutions to interact regularly.

There is the annual meeting of the Joint Council for Bilateral Cooperation - the highest-level body for political ties and economic cooperation.

Seven regional councils have also been formed, each tasked to build ties in a province in China.

Major state-led projects like the Suzhou Industrial Park and the Tianjin Eco-City also provide convenient and long-term platforms for exchanges.

The friendship of Mr Lee Kuan Yew and late Chinese paramount leader Deng Xiaoping has remained a key goodwill touchstone too.

But with the departure of the founding generation, observers say Singapore needs to keep up and even enhance its scouting and cultivation, despite the challenges.

China is simply too big a player in Asia to be ignored or downplayed, say observers.

"It is just like stock investing. If you invest in a blue chip, there are low risks but there are also low returns," says Prof Huang.

"But identifying the future leader in China is like investing in a start-up. The risks are higher but there could be a lot of rewards too."

I believe the desire to build close relationships with top CPC officials is one of the reason why Singapore chose Chongqing for the third government-to-government project. Sun Zhengcai is in power at that time and although he has fallen, Chen Min'er has taken over.

Mr Chen said the CCI is an important project and reiterated his commitment to its success. He noted that for Chongqing to be selected as the location for the joint government project between China and Singapore, it is a historical opportunity as well as a historical responsibility for city.

"I've paid attention to the CCI from the very start of the discussions. Now that I'm in Chongqing, I will pay greater attention to the project, and I will get to appreciate the importance of the project to the strategic cooperation between the two countries," he said.

The former Guizhou party chief observed that in the 40-odd days since he arrived in Chongqing, he has already seen the high level of attention and support that the Chongqing government and the people have given the project. He also noticed the attention and support given by the neighbouring western provinces.

"This third government-to-government project is one that is visionary and has high foresight," Mr Chen said. "It is a win-win strategic cooperation at the country level, different from any other individual cooperation projects."

 

[ohmrlobalobayeh]

why was this thread moved here in the south asia section? singapore is not in south asia

 

[Rajaraja Chola]

Malay descent rule is strange one.

Mahathir also had Malayali father, yet he is considered pure bumiputra malay (I guess he proved which race he was loyal to first and foremost action wise) etc etc.

That was new. Always wondered at his name but Malays, Thais, Indonesians mostly have Indic sounding names. Just found out that Mahathir Grandad married a malay first. And his dad became half malay. Mahathir full Malay

 

[sinait]

why was this thread moved here in the south asia section? singapore is not in south asia

Maybe the @MOD saw Halimah Yacob and moved it to the South Asia section because our President is actually an Indian, half Indian.
Wonder why they keep calling her a Malay President,
Should have called her an Indian, but we had Nathan few years back, so disqualification for her.
Jialat.
.

 

[8888888888888]

Singapore is in east Asia

 

[manlion]

Ya, it surprised me when I first realized it.
They are usually trained at our Civil Service College Singapore at Buona Vista Road.
That was where I was surprised to see so many of Chinese officials there.
That's why its hard to fathom that Singapore could ever be anti China, though on rare occasions, we have to consider our interest first and foremost.
Never let big mouth Bilahari Kausikan hurt that relationship.
.

even if the Singapore govt adopts an anti China stand, Singapore Chinese (who form more than 75 % of the pop) will remain loyal to China , the same applies to the local Malays (15% pop), who had cordial relationship with China since the days of Admiral Cheng Ho (Zheng He) . Relations between Ming China and Melaka solidified by a marriage between Sultan Mansur Shah and a Ming princess, Hang Li Po. Chinese traders, sailors from both Cheng Ho and Hang Li Po’s travels settled in Malacca. Some converting to Islam others marrying local Malays thus creating the Peranakan Community. Singapore Malay( and Indonesian) cuisine has a strong Chinese influence e.g use of Chinese noodles and tau kwa , soy sauce etc


Global port in the works for Malacca under China's maritime silk route plan

MALACCA (THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK) - An international shipping port is being planned for Malacca after China identified the state as part of its 21st Century Maritime Silk Route economic belt (MSR).

Malaysian Transport Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said the existing port here would be expanded to meet international standards.

"Admiral Zheng He landed in Malacca some 600 years ago, and this has placed the historic city as part of the MSR belt.

http://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se...malacca-under-chinas-maritime-silk-route-plan

 

[ohmrlobalobayeh]

@MOD why was this thread moved from the Far East section to South asia section? Singapore is not in South Asia

 

[WreckingBall]

@MOD why was this thread moved from the Far East section to South asia section? Singapore is not in South Asia

Because it is not even in the Far East. It is in South East Asia.

 

[8888888888888]

Singapore is part of the Far East like Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam and the Philippines.