Singapore-China-USA Relations Dilemma

Singapore-China relations formally established 1990. However, the real relations

rooted way before that. One over three of Singaporean population is made up of Chinese which
originated from the mainland China1. Considering that fact, there were certain expectation set
by the world that Singapore bound to align itself to China after its wobble independency from
The Federation of Malaysia in 19652.However, the expectations backfired. Whereas, the
relations established by Singapore and United States of America (USA) has spawned back to
50 years ago when USA has had formal diplomatic relation in 1966 after Singapore
independence from the Federation of Malaysia in 19653. Since then, the relation has been
going strong between these two states.
Singapore has always implemented its pragmatic policy approach in International arena
which most of the time clashes with China stance4. This has worsen the relations between the
said two states. On the other hand, the pragmatic approach works well with the USA. It is
peculiar to see Singapore strong rejection of China-bounded identity and seek for nation-state
identity considering that China is a reckoning power of the region as well as the world which
might bring greater advantage to Singapore. Instead, Singapore choose to strengthen its ties
to the USA while maintaining China at its arm reach.
Singapore rejection of Chinese identity is understandable by referring to Southeast Asia
history. There were two factors explaining the situation5. First, the affiliation of Communist party
of China (CPC) and the communist in Southeast Asia. In the 1950s, the Southeast Asia region
are in great struggle against communist insurgency. The communist in Southeast Asia region
alleged to be backed the CPC. Second, the suspicion on Chinese minoritys loyalty in
Southeast Asia states which might be used by the mainland China to overturn the Southeast
Asia states. Since the nature of the population in Singapore is Chinese-dominated, it is safer
for it to distance itself from China than being accused of plotting against its neighboring
comrades.
Taking that into account, it is easier to discern the reason why Singapore to hook up
with USA during its early independency days. Since the USA wont reflects its Chinese identity,
as well as the former is a world power, it suited Singapore very well 6. Since then the relation
between those two has expanded so much.
The problem is that, when a state inclined itself the west (USA) it would be seen as a
threat to the east (China). So what if Singapore has to choose between China and USA?
Professor Joseph Liow of S.Rajaratnam school of International study said it is unlikely for
Singapore to reach that crossroad. Since both superpower shares a complex intertwining
interest, neither China nor USA would be willing to disengage itself from the region7.

1
Palen, J. J. (1988). Population policy: Singapore.
2
Turnbull, C. M. (1992). A history of Singapore, 1819-1988.
3
Liu, G. (2005). The Singapore foreign service: The first 40 years. Editions Didier Millet.
4
Koh, T. T. B., & Acharya, A. (Eds.). (1998). The Quest for World Order: perspectives of a pragmatic
idealist. Singapore: Institute of Policy Studies: Times Academic Press.
5
Singh, B. (1988). Singapore: Foreign Policy Imperatives of a Small State (No. 1). Centre for
Advanced Studies, National University of Singapore.
6
Singh, B. (1999). The vulnerability of small states revisited: a study of Singapore's post-cold war
foreign policy. Gadjah mada university press.
7
Liow, J., & Leifer, M. (2014). Dictionary of the modern politics of Southeast Asia. Routledge.
 In simple words, the regional history has shape out the current Singapore-China-USA
dilemma. Singapore decision not to be dependent to China has opened the route to its strong
relation with USA while still considering its positions with the world powers. In fact, the decision
made by Singapore in the past managed to put itself as An admirable figure of how state could
developed and be place among other developed nations within short period of time considering
its independency in 1965.

References
1. Palen, J. J. (1988). Population policy: Singapore.
2. Turnbull, C. M. (1992). A history of Singapore, 1819-1988.
3. Liu, G. (2005). The Singapore foreign service: The first 40 years. Editions Didier Millet.
4. Koh, T. T. B., & Acharya, A. (Eds.). (1998). The Quest for World Order: perspectives of a
pragmatic idealist. Singapore: Institute of Policy Studies: Times Academic Press.
5. Singh, B. (1988). Singapore: Foreign Policy Imperatives of a Small State (No. 1). Centre for
Advanced Studies, National University of Singapore.
6. Singh, B. (1999). The vulnerability of small states revisited: a study of Singapore's post-cold
war foreign policy. Gadjah mada university press.
7. Liow, J., & Leifer, M. (2014). Dictionary of the modern politics of Southeast Asia. Routledge.