SINO-SINGAPOREAN RELATIONS, 1965-1976

Abstract

Sino-Singaporean relations since 1965 can be described as correct, formal and pragmatic. Physically and ideologically, China and Singapore are two separate and distinct entities — the former is a large Communist Socialist State, and the latter, a small Democratic-Socialist island Republic. Despite this fact, both have developed low-level but practical contacts with each other, though on a non-governmental basis. Generally, Singapore is the only country among ASEAN states that has the best relationship with China, long before the present phase of Southeast Asia-China rapprochement. This bilateral relationship hinges mainly on their close economic ties, which remained uninterrupted despite disagreements and verbal antagonism that broke out during the period of the Cultural Revolution in China and the Bank of China (Singapore) incident. However, after Rajaratnam's March 1975 and. Lee's May 1976 visits to Peking, the only things which deceptively make Sino-Singaporean relations seem cooler than those between China and the other three ASEAN states, viz. Malaysia, Thailand, and the Philippines, which have normalized relations with China, are the formalities of a joint communique and the establishment of embassies in each other's territories. This academic exercise attempts to study comprehensively the unique Sino-Singaporean relations since 1965» as summarized above. It will also explain and analyse why Singapore., deapite its correct, pragmatic and good relations with China, has maintained that it would be the last in ASEAN to establish diplomatic ties with Peking, In doing so, this exercise hopes to throw in more lights on Smo-Singaporean relations — a subject that is much neglected and rarely studied in its totality.