I’m not sure I’m making a single, tidy “point” in this post."
This is an excellent essay, which build insights upon observation. I wish more posts were less driven by a point, and more by a discussion or expostion.
I read this post over and over again, but unfortunately, I don't understand what is your writeup about.
You mentioned you attended and some occasions organized by the Rajaratnam School which I am aware that it is an English speaking organization set up since Singapore's the colonial days with majority, if not all, the Singaporean members are English speaking people. Did you listen to all the talks in English or through some Chinese translation. If you had given a speech, in what language did you give in -- Chinese or English language? I am sure your answer maybe it doesn't matter but, in my opinion, very few Singaporeans speak Chinese fluently and most have not received some history education on East Asia (let alone the recent history of China since the Japanese invasion of China in 1931). In fact, the Chinese in Malaysia knows Chinese history a lot more than Singaporeans since a great number are still basically educated in Chinese, and due to the inclination in their education system that resulted in many went for their further education in Taiwan (obviously in Chinese language). They know Chinese and Asian history a lot more than Singaporean Chinese (probably including Mr Wong himself which was educated in Harvard). The education system in Singapore is primarily in English. Likewise, very unlike Chinese in China, Singaporean have "stopped" studying history of Singapore, let alone East Asian or even World history. Singaporeans see their history only starts from the day Singapore broke away from Malayan Federation -- anything before that like Parameswara discovered lion on that piece of rock, Chinese merchants that sailed to trade in S E Asia, Sir Stanford Raffles' landing in 1819, Lord Montbatten and Lim Yew Hock as governors during the colonial era, etc... were meant to be spoken in English by tour guides for western tourists during bump boat rides on the Singapore River.
By the same token, as in the US, ask any Americans if they know about the history of the US, particularly those about the Chinese labourers that constructed the railway line from east to west, unless they have visited that museum at the foot of the Ark in St Louis (Missouri) overseeing the Mississippi River. In that museum, they displayed how the Europeans from the east went beyond the so-called mid-West which St Louis was the gateway to the west. This is more so that this is no more being taught in the US education, let alone, beyond the Europeans, there are a lot more Jews and other races today. I just returned from my nth business trip to the US, and as I am so used to it, once I landed in the US or, specifically, if I am in major cities like New York, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, San Francisco, Seattle, etc..., I find myself being totally shut off from the World outside that particular state, not to mention Asia. In my opinion, this situation is sort of what is happening in Singapore today -- news about China basically has little substance other than the dancing robots flinging handkerchiefs on stage during the 春晚 gala. Beyond, Chinese news is about who is under investigation by the Chinese authorities, floods, drains choked, etc... News are mainly repeats of US media.
As such, to some things up, I do understand Singapore's perspectives towards Japan which represents the power of English throughout the colonial days till today -- yes, even though Singapore had benefitted on trade and financial passthrough from the West to China which our leaders have consistently mentioned we rely on trade and investments by China, but security by the US.
SE Asia and China view toward Japan are quite different. Mainly because Japan no longer post military threat to SE Asia, but still post threat to China since it is part of the 1st island chain specifically designed to contain China by the US and still house US military bases.
Worse, Japan continue to put finger into the Taiwan situation, which China consider an internal affair. All of these help ensure that the wound has never heal in China’s view.
Try to imagine if the same thing happens with your country, and you would appreciate it better.
Still, it is best if we can all navigate this carefully and avoid further provocation. In this, I consider PM Wang message a great contribution. Singapore has privilege to say this kind of things with credibility because its population is primarily Chinese and also have suffered severely from Japan occupation during WWII but have since mend tie and develop strong and close relationship with Japan, Taiwan and China. It also clearly wants peace in the region and always support China peaceful rise.
Hope the cooler heads prevail in the coming years.
ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute - this is a bias Institute that paddle western centric views. In most of its poll, the number and type of people polled are biased to western view as they are mostly elite of the country that were schooled mostly in UK/Australia/NZ/USA universities ... these elites' mind are already colonized .....
"ends up smoothing a few rough edges in China–Singapore ties—then so be it"
Both Japan and China are having a demographics challenge, but until recently I'd have picked China as the nation to weather it in much better shape, partly due to geography, but also due to a more inclusive culture. I started to shift my stance upon seeing how important immigrants have become to Japan's economy, but the recent election has upset my calculations. However it would be easy enough to start another Boxer Anti-Foreign Backlash.
I'd like to add a third advise to the two pieces of advice from an opinion leader to China (One is for its diplomats to cut back on wolf-warrior arrogance, the person answered, and the second is not to underestimate the genuine fear about China’s rise even in China’s neighborhood.)
Third, China, as a socialist nation with a strong government hand in the economy, must know the actions of mainland investors are seen by many overseas as representing China's government policy. This may be unfair compared to the rapacious actions of western investors, but Western Investors don't hide their hate of government interference. Because many Chinese Private/No-State Corporations, (particularly those with some success in the mainland already achieved by the habit of corrupting / coopting CPC cadre to ignore their bad behavior) are headed by poorly educated entrepreneurs who often are not even trained as CPC cadres, they bribe, pollute, and exploit their labour in Asia, Africa and South/Central America to a degree that might even drive western entrepreneurs to hesitate. The CPC must do better at supervising these off-shore investments to avoid offending the grass roots of these nations, seeding the next colour revolution by the USA's regime change machine.
I’m not sure I’m making a single, tidy “point” in this post."
This is an excellent essay, which build insights upon observation. I wish more posts were less driven by a point, and more by a discussion or expostion.
Thank you!
I read this post over and over again, but unfortunately, I don't understand what is your writeup about.
You mentioned you attended and some occasions organized by the Rajaratnam School which I am aware that it is an English speaking organization set up since Singapore's the colonial days with majority, if not all, the Singaporean members are English speaking people. Did you listen to all the talks in English or through some Chinese translation. If you had given a speech, in what language did you give in -- Chinese or English language? I am sure your answer maybe it doesn't matter but, in my opinion, very few Singaporeans speak Chinese fluently and most have not received some history education on East Asia (let alone the recent history of China since the Japanese invasion of China in 1931). In fact, the Chinese in Malaysia knows Chinese history a lot more than Singaporeans since a great number are still basically educated in Chinese, and due to the inclination in their education system that resulted in many went for their further education in Taiwan (obviously in Chinese language). They know Chinese and Asian history a lot more than Singaporean Chinese (probably including Mr Wong himself which was educated in Harvard). The education system in Singapore is primarily in English. Likewise, very unlike Chinese in China, Singaporean have "stopped" studying history of Singapore, let alone East Asian or even World history. Singaporeans see their history only starts from the day Singapore broke away from Malayan Federation -- anything before that like Parameswara discovered lion on that piece of rock, Chinese merchants that sailed to trade in S E Asia, Sir Stanford Raffles' landing in 1819, Lord Montbatten and Lim Yew Hock as governors during the colonial era, etc... were meant to be spoken in English by tour guides for western tourists during bump boat rides on the Singapore River.
By the same token, as in the US, ask any Americans if they know about the history of the US, particularly those about the Chinese labourers that constructed the railway line from east to west, unless they have visited that museum at the foot of the Ark in St Louis (Missouri) overseeing the Mississippi River. In that museum, they displayed how the Europeans from the east went beyond the so-called mid-West which St Louis was the gateway to the west. This is more so that this is no more being taught in the US education, let alone, beyond the Europeans, there are a lot more Jews and other races today. I just returned from my nth business trip to the US, and as I am so used to it, once I landed in the US or, specifically, if I am in major cities like New York, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, San Francisco, Seattle, etc..., I find myself being totally shut off from the World outside that particular state, not to mention Asia. In my opinion, this situation is sort of what is happening in Singapore today -- news about China basically has little substance other than the dancing robots flinging handkerchiefs on stage during the 春晚 gala. Beyond, Chinese news is about who is under investigation by the Chinese authorities, floods, drains choked, etc... News are mainly repeats of US media.
As such, to some things up, I do understand Singapore's perspectives towards Japan which represents the power of English throughout the colonial days till today -- yes, even though Singapore had benefitted on trade and financial passthrough from the West to China which our leaders have consistently mentioned we rely on trade and investments by China, but security by the US.
SE Asia and China view toward Japan are quite different. Mainly because Japan no longer post military threat to SE Asia, but still post threat to China since it is part of the 1st island chain specifically designed to contain China by the US and still house US military bases.
Worse, Japan continue to put finger into the Taiwan situation, which China consider an internal affair. All of these help ensure that the wound has never heal in China’s view.
Try to imagine if the same thing happens with your country, and you would appreciate it better.
Still, it is best if we can all navigate this carefully and avoid further provocation. In this, I consider PM Wang message a great contribution. Singapore has privilege to say this kind of things with credibility because its population is primarily Chinese and also have suffered severely from Japan occupation during WWII but have since mend tie and develop strong and close relationship with Japan, Taiwan and China. It also clearly wants peace in the region and always support China peaceful rise.
Hope the cooler heads prevail in the coming years.
ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute - this is a bias Institute that paddle western centric views. In most of its poll, the number and type of people polled are biased to western view as they are mostly elite of the country that were schooled mostly in UK/Australia/NZ/USA universities ... these elites' mind are already colonized .....
"ends up smoothing a few rough edges in China–Singapore ties—then so be it"
Both Japan and China are having a demographics challenge, but until recently I'd have picked China as the nation to weather it in much better shape, partly due to geography, but also due to a more inclusive culture. I started to shift my stance upon seeing how important immigrants have become to Japan's economy, but the recent election has upset my calculations. However it would be easy enough to start another Boxer Anti-Foreign Backlash.
I'd like to add a third advise to the two pieces of advice from an opinion leader to China (One is for its diplomats to cut back on wolf-warrior arrogance, the person answered, and the second is not to underestimate the genuine fear about China’s rise even in China’s neighborhood.)
Third, China, as a socialist nation with a strong government hand in the economy, must know the actions of mainland investors are seen by many overseas as representing China's government policy. This may be unfair compared to the rapacious actions of western investors, but Western Investors don't hide their hate of government interference. Because many Chinese Private/No-State Corporations, (particularly those with some success in the mainland already achieved by the habit of corrupting / coopting CPC cadre to ignore their bad behavior) are headed by poorly educated entrepreneurs who often are not even trained as CPC cadres, they bribe, pollute, and exploit their labour in Asia, Africa and South/Central America to a degree that might even drive western entrepreneurs to hesitate. The CPC must do better at supervising these off-shore investments to avoid offending the grass roots of these nations, seeding the next colour revolution by the USA's regime change machine.