Hi tripwire
This is quite a nice "trip write-up" that you have made, although
it is difficult to imagine the topic title becoming a reality in
the military combat sense, as it is obviously a no contest to begin
with, or in any PRC vs Singapore duel of any kind.
It will be more appropriate if this topic was made in reference to
the economics sphere of rivalry, which is an existing reality and
which Singapore is in a situation that does not even come close to
David vs Goliath, nor do we come close to being even an "irritating
tick on the back of an elephant".
Singapores foreign policy of involving the US and India - in the
affairs of South-east Asia - is not a recent event, and has been
announced publicly since the early 1970s when the British declared
their intention to pull out of their Empire - East of Suez.
This policy is made in part to counter balance any aggression from
the PRC, although that was neutralized somewhat when PRC recognized
the benefits of joining the Global Community for all the economic
and political benefits and security.
The other reason was to counter balance any exertion of regional
muscle from our two immediate large neighbors in this region, who
can be a serious political threat if ever some lunatic
fundamentalist religious fanatic were to assume political power in
either one or both of the countries at the same time.
With a combined population of over 140 million people, the two
closest neighbors can squeeze this little red dot economically,
if not militarily.
With everyones navy vessels sailing to and fro, the length of the
Malacca Straits and through the South China Sea, Singapores access
to this important and strategic life line will be perpetually
assured with or without any one or the other regional and world
military powers, the remaining who are willing can ensure the
outcome will remain in everyones favor.
About the SARS donation of US$1.1million by the Premier of PRC, did
he make that out of atonement, for the embarrassing self-deceit of
the PRC Health Minister for not reporting honestly and give earlier
public warning of the SARS outbreak within the PRC?
If seen in the same light, would it not be ridiculous of our own
Government to offer to match dollar-for-dollar for any cash
contribution put up by Singaporeans for the SARS fund especially
during this hard economic times, and more pertinently so when after
the increases were made to the GST, transport fares, utilities in
2002 despite the strongly expressed fears and concerns that our
economy have not fully recovered from the 1997 Financial Crisis,
made worse by the 9-11 and Bali terrorists incidences, and yet
these policies were implemented?
The SARS fund stands at almost $8million up to this day.
How and who will manage the funds, and who will finally actually
benefit, and in what amount is not clear?
Will the publicly shamed family of 8 also stand to benefit from
this fund, after their shameful behavior as they are victims
too?
Some ideas from the following article may help us all.
http://anakin-www-hp.cc.colorado.edu/dept/PS/Finley/PS425/reading/Huntington1.html
