When Singapore became
independent in 1965, it initially sought help from Israeli to help
build up Singapore's Armed Force. But in 1968 6 day battles,
Israeli sent a shockwave across the muslim arab world, when it
successfully won the battle against Egypt. The arab world became
very anti-Israeli.
Fearing that if
Singapore were to become too Pro-Israeli, Singapore's muslim
neighbours such as Malaysia and Indonesia would become very
anti-Singapore, and might attack Singapore militarily which would
threaten Singapore's security and existence, LKY soon turned to
Taiwan for military assistance.
Singapore couldn't
possiblity seek PRC's military assistance at that time
because PRC is communist,
and LKY is anti-communist. During the cold war, Singapore's on the
side of the free world, being anti-communist.
You may well know that
besides the Soviet Communist, the Chinese communist supported a global
communist revolution world wide aimed at overthrowing all regimes
around the world and establishing "communist state". In this sense,
the Chinese communist supported the Malaya communist party and
Indonesia communist party, with arms and weapons to overthrow the
existing regime in order to establish a "communist state". It was
during this time, that Lee Kuan Yew felt the threats from the
communist subversion warfare.
Also at that time,
during the 1965, news of Mao's communist Cultural revolution
spreaded to Singapore, many of the local Chinese in Singapore were
influenced by left-wing communist ideology, and LKY felt the
threats of communist was there.
That's the reason why
LKY, even though relying on the communist for support to gain into
power, later started to strike the communist, esp. with the launch
of internal security act, i.e. detainment of communist without
trial. This in someway is quite similar to Taiwan's "martial
law" R.O.C 's Temporary Provisions Effective
During the Period of Communist Rebellion
動員戡亂時期臨時條款
Neither did US want to help Singapore at that
time. The only possible ally at that time was Taiwan.
Taiwan's
Republic of China Armed Force (R.O.C) had great
military combat experience and expertise dating from the times of
Chiang Kai Shek in mainland China (such as Northern Expedition,
Fight against Communist rebellion, World War II against the
Imperial Japanese Army, Cross Straits Warfare against the Chinese
communist). It was also an ally of the United States.
During the cold war, Singapore becomes
anti-communist, and there is no better ally than Taiwan, who is
also mainly Chinese.
Taiwan's military strength dated from Chiang
Kai Shek's times during the 1950s starting with a secret military
plan known as "Project National Glory 國光計劃作業室" .
The military plan aims to retake or liberate mainland China from
the Chinese communist by attacking mainland China
(中華民國國軍武力光復大陸作戰計劃）. This plan started from 1950s and only ended
around the 1970s, and the R.O.C forces were constantly training to
fight the communist.
In 1949, battle of Kinmen as well as 1958 823
Artillery warfare, the R.O.C forces successfully defeated the PLA.
Esp. 1958 battle saw the first time in world history air force that
air-to-air missiles were used, the Republic of China Air Force
(equipped with skilled acefighters and US weapons) successfully
shot down several PLA Soviet Aircraft. The R.O.C Air force also
constantly raided and spied on the coastal region of mainland
China, in military preparation to launch a strike against mainland
China to retake it.
In 1964, the Chinese
communist successfully exploded the first nuclear bomb. In
response, Chiang Kai Shek launched a secret military plan to
accelerate the development of nuclear bomb. This plan was only
stopped in 1987 after pressure from US, but recent disclosure of
history and classified information revealed that Taiwan also
possessed the technology to construct nuclear weapons. It also has
successfully exploded a small scale nuclear weapoon.
From 1950s
till 1979, the US also had a "Sino-Mutual Defence
Treaty 中美共同防禦條約" with Taiwan, R.O.C. The US army had
garrison forces in Taiwan and also provided military assistance to
Taiwan, whether it's equipments or training. The R.O.C in Taiwan
calls itself the "Free China 自由中國" during the cold
war period, since it still helds the seat to "China" in the United
Nations.
Singapore sought help from Taiwan because in
1960s-1970s, Taiwan's R.O.C forces are quite strong. Consequently,
in 1970, LKY met Chiang Chin Kuo (Chiang Kai Shek's son), he agreed
to help Singapore build up a strong forces. In 1975, Singapore's
Starlight 星光部隊 was established and were sent to
Taiwan for exchange and training, using Taiwan's terrrain and also
to train with Taiwan's Armed force.
Taiwan also sent many
military personnels to help Singapore, esp. its acefighters were
sent to Singapore to help establish Singapore's Air Force System,
Intelligence system, Military equipments purchasing. Taiwanese
military personnels only withdrew from Singapore's Armed force in
1987 after Chiang Chin Kuo passed away. Today, Taiwan continues to
be an ally of Singapore militarily.
It's historically true
that Taiwan helps Singapore build up its defence during its
pioneering years of independence.
