What this lesson teaches
I can judge how Singapore responded to the Cold War in Southeast Asia, and why.
Syllabus 8838, Theme III, Learning Outcomes. evaluate Singapore's responses to the development of the Cold War in Southeast Asia
Make a guess
Most Singaporeans were ethnic Chinese. When do you think Singapore set up formal diplomatic ties with China?
- In 1990, only after Indonesia had done so.
- In 1965, straight after independence, because of its Chinese population.
- Not until 2000, because China backed communist parties.
Show the answer
In 1990, only after Indonesia had done so.
Singapore did not want neighbours to see it as a "third China", so it built trade and contacts first and waited.
Singapore moved slowly towards China, building trade and contacts but delaying formal ties until after Indonesia in 1990.
Singapore was cautious about China. In the 1960s and 1970s China supported communist parties in Southeast Asia. Singapore had fought a communist challenge at home. Its population was mainly Chinese, so it had to show its neighbours that it was not a "third China".
Contacts grew after the USA and China drew closer in the 1970s. From 13 to 22 March 1975, Foreign Minister S. Rajaratnam visited Beijing and met Premier Zhou Enlai. It was the first high-level contact between the two governments. Rajaratnam explained that Singapore would deal with China on the basis of national interest, not shared Chinese ancestry. Lee Kuan Yew visited China in 1976. Deng Xiaoping visited Singapore in November 1978 and saw its economic success. Lee pressed him on China's support for communist rebels in the region.
Trade moved ahead of diplomacy. On 29 December 1979 Finance Minister Hon Sui Sen and China's Minister for Foreign Trade Li Qiang signed a trade agreement. Each side gave the other most-favoured-nation treatment, meaning the lowest customs duties it gave anyone. Singapore and China opened trade representative offices in 1981. Economic links grew as China reformed under Deng.
Singapore chose to wait until Indonesia restored relations with China. Indonesia did so in August 1990. Singapore followed in October 1990.
- Lee visits China
- 1976.
- Deng visits Singapore
- November 1978.
- Trade offices
- 1981.
- Diplomatic relations
- October 1990, after Indonesia (August 1990).
Real examples to use
Rajaratnam in Beijing, March 1975
The first high-level visit; he met Zhou Enlai and said Singapore would deal with China on national interest, not ethnic ties.
Trade agreement, 29 December 1979
Signed by Hon Sui Sen and Li Qiang; each side gave the other most-favoured-nation customs treatment, eleven years before diplomatic ties.
Waiting for Jakarta, 1990
Indonesia restored ties with China in August 1990; Singapore followed in October 1990, so it could not be called a "third China".
Worked example: Regional factors shaping policy
Why did Singapore delay diplomatic relations with China until 1990?
- Domestic: the earlier communist threat at home.
- Regional: reassuring Malay neighbours, especially Indonesia.
- China's policy: support for regional communist parties.
- Result: trade first, formal ties only after Indonesia.
Watch out for this
Singapore recognised China soon after independence because of its Chinese population.
Singapore waited until October 1990, after Indonesia, precisely to avoid being seen as a "third China".
Check your understanding
Why did Singapore wait for Indonesia before establishing relations with China?
- Because China refused contact with Singapore until 1990
- To reassure its neighbours that it was not a "third China"
- Because the USA forbade it to recognise China before Washington did
Show the answer
To reassure its neighbours that it was not a "third China"
Right. Regional sensitivities shaped the timing.