MM Lee: Singapore will not become a “satellite” of China

Johnpennreturn SG

December 30, 2009

In his latest public speech, Singapore’s “forecaster extraordinarie” MM Lee Kuan Yew predicted that China “may become an advanced world power in 50 years’ time.”

He added that for Singapore to be an effective player on the world stage, it must retain its point of view, and not become a satellite of bigger economies like the US, Japan or China:

“We are a little red dot but we are a special red dot. We are connected with the world, we play a special role. And we are not going to be in anybody’s pocket. And if we lose that status, we are meaningless. Because of our status as independent actors, independent observers of situation, when we say something, they say yes that is a Singapore point of view and very often a realistic point of view.”

A former Prime Minister of Singapore, Lee now jets around the world to dispense his “pearls of wisdom” to leaders of other countries. His last lecture was to the Japanese to emulate Singapore’s example and open its doors to immigration.

Contrary to Lee’s claims, Singapore may have already become a satellite of China in another sense. The small island state has seen a relentless influx of foreigners in recent years especially from China.

Mainland Chinese are allowed to come to Singapore to study, work and live with few restrictions. PRs and citizenships are given freely even to construction workers, cleaners and masseurs.

As many of them are unable to speak English, the ruling party has generously offered free English language classes to them, courtesy of a $10 million Community Integration Fund sponsored fully by Singapore taxpayers to make the new citizens and PRs feel “welcomed” in Singapore.

In a recent interview with the National Geographic magazine, Lee admitted that it is a “good thing that the nation has welcomed so many Chinese immigrants” as they are more “hard-driving and hard-striving” than locals.

Lee’s remarks sparked a massive outcry in cyberspace with many netizens condemning him for it, but was not reported by the mainstream media. A Facebook was even set up demanding him apologize to Singaporeans.

With China becoming more affluent and influential, it is doubtful if it will be interested to listen to Singapore’s “point of view” again, again and again in the future.

ztreyier SG

Not satellite of China but satellite of U.S? Don't talk nonsense LKY. I know you are not chinese but please don't be a stooge of western powers against China. My forefathers are all from China. Please show some basic respect.

According to a new report by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute released in Sweden last week, world military expenditures in 2008 rose 4 percent to a record $1.46 trillion despite the spreading economic recession. And the United States remains the country with the highest military expenditures in the world, accounting for 42 percent of the world's total – more than the sum of the next 14 countries combined.

Chinese must keep a clear head and understand how this money was spent. The military “crescent encirclement” of China formed by the US is expanding.

In the South China Sea, it is reported that the US is seeking to lease the military base in Vietnam's Cam Ranh Bay. Once achieved, there will be three US military bases in the region – the other two located at Guam and Singapore's Changi. The three bases form a triangular encirclement of the South China Sea. The US already has two strategic island chains in the Pacific, not including Cam Ranh Bay. Once the US successfully leases it, the chain of islands will be enhanced.

More importantly, compared with any Chinese naval base, the Cam Ranh Bay base has more power to deploy forces to any island in the South China Sea.

And to the northwest, NATO is threatening, too. In May, it conducted two military exercises in Georgia. Some international military critics have claimed that these are not typical NATO exercises, since major NATO countries like Germany, France and Italy did not participate, while most participating countries were former Soviet Union republics like Georgia and the Ukraine, and former Warsaw Pact countries like Hungary and the Czech Republic.

This indicates that NATO's eastward expansion has extended not only to Russia, but also China. In addition, there is a “shadow of NATO,” that is the long-existing US-Japan and US-South Korea military alliances.

Hong Kong Wen Wei Po

http://opinion.globaltimes.cn/chinese-press/2009-06/436809.html

SAF radar for Afghan mission

http://www.straitstimes.com/Breaking%2BNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_385464.html

SAF joins anti-piracy patrol

RSN will deploy a Landing Ship Tank (LST), with two Super Puma Helicopters on board, and 200 personnel, as part of an international flotilla that will patrol the waters off Somalia, a major flashpoint where pirates have attacked more than 100 ships last year.

For three months, the LST will work with the US-led Combined Task Force 151 and other ships to escort the vessels that ply the pirate-infested waterway everyday.

http://www.straitstimes.com/Breaking%2BNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_337484.html

Minister for Defence Speaks on SAF Deployment to Iraq

http://www.mindef.gov.sg/imindef/news_and_events/nr/2003/dec/03dec03_nr.html

LKY. Stop talking cock. You are an earsore. Just shut your gap.

You worked for Japanese interests in WWII not enough, now want to gang up with U.S to encircle China? Go to hell, western stooge.

ztreyier SG

Singapore will be province of China. It won't be satellite of China. Militarily it will be quasi ally of U.S. U.S invades Iraq? We will send troops. U.S in Afghanistan? We will send troops. U.S has a mission off Somalia? We will send a naval ship to help.

Fugazzi SG

Not another blatant lie. This low-life megalomaniac is so manipulative that each time he utters somehting - it is always or at least he makes it seem that he has all the answers and is being wise.

I do hope that intelligent people would know where to place their votes and be rid of this cancerous incumbent party once and for all. They are redundant of principles, ethics and integrity.

It is for people, the public to offer opinions and not one's own people (party) to sing praises for achievement or what-have-you. Utter shame!!!!

Vote and vote wisely and be rid of this nonsense of a party!

angel7030 SG

i thot we are already a province of China, we are called Nanyang Province already.

Former magistrate and judge of Singapore was a China magistrate by the name of Yap Ah Loy. You still sleeping

Larryteo SG

I think this is to piss malaysia and indonesia off, or trying to scare them. Look at all the efforts to use Newater :D

angel7030 SG

malaysia and indonesia can get scared by us meh??? they just clamp now from top and bottom, we become hamburger in between liao?? So what Newater?? they still go on with their life without any problem. They just control the Strait of Malacca only, we are history liao

Larryteo SG

Because when you have 2 big friends on your side, the bully will of course be scared.

angel7030 SG

bully...who, who bullied us, hello, without the two states above and below, you think Singapore can be what it is today ar???

Pattyflower SG

Fear is often greater than the danger.

Why not stand out and strength cooeration with them?

likeyou SG

I think this is to piss malaysia and indonesia off, or trying to scare them. Look at all the efforts to use Newater :D

Yes, they might bully us in the future, must be very close to china.

likeyou SG

bully...who, who bullied us, hello, without the two states above and below, you think Singapore can be what it is today ar???

Yes, spore might get bully by them.

angel7030 SG

Malaysia is consider a good neighbour to us, it you will to compare to other bordering countries, the likes of Mynamar and thailand, thailand and malaysia or even thai and cambodia, aust and Indonesia, they got more conflict then us, for years we have enjoy a good relationship with malaysia, and they dun give much problem, except for some verbal, economy and land disagreement, but both settle it in a way non confrontation way, rather we adopted negiotation and strengthening of relationship. Both understand that with mature understand relationship, both will gain tremedously from both economy and social stands. Same goes indonesia, lots of Singapore business also operate in Indonesia, and most rich indonesians bought property and educate in singapore too, indonesia is also consider a big market, being the 3rd highest population, u dun a pencil to 5 or 6 million peoples, but 400 millions, and if 100millions buy it at a profit 50cents, you are 50millions rich. You understand.

Whatever happen, we agree not to disturb each domestic poltics and social problem, and that is consider a good neighbour

Samuel Lee SG

Whatever happen, we agree not to disturb each domestic poltics and social problem, and that is consider a good neighbour

I think that is on surface. On the dark side of politics, who knows.

angel7030 SG

I think that is on surface. On the dark side of politics, who knows.

Well, who knows what you did in bed?

BJK SG

I wish our leaders could trust China more than US. China has not invaded any country in recent years but US did – Afganistan and Iraq. Look at the two countries which have been bombed until their conditions are like in the 1950s. Only God knows the number of dead as the invading country only keep track of their their dead citizens. Thousands are further maimed which have not been shown in the mass media. Go China Go.

ztreyier SG

I wish our leaders could trust China more than US.

We have to vote out PAP. Singaporeans must remove the PAP regime from power.

angel7030 SG

Better not, it not that China dun invade cos they dun see the use of invade just one small country, when China invade countries, they create empire and dynasty that can last for centuries, that is what they want, they can wallop up the whole Asia, and we become the slaves

angel7030 SG

We have to vote out PAP. Singaporeans must remove the PAP regime from power.

the problem is not about voting PAP out or in, PAP is not so good, but the main problem is no good oppositions too. So, no fish, shrimp also eat lor

ztreyier SG

the problem is not about voting PAP out or in, PAP is not so good, but the main problem is no good oppositions too. So, no fish, shrimp also eat lor

That is like a dog mentality.