[Stoki]

How ‘poisonous shrimp’ Singapore became the US’ undeclared ally in Asia


The city state has deftly fortified strategic ties with the West while remaining a trusted interlocutor to and top investor in China


Although it was overlooked for the US’ upcoming democracy summit, Singapore remains America’s most reliable strategic partner in Southeast Asia


“In a world where the big fish eat small fish and the small fish eat shrimps, Singapore must become a poisonous shrimp,” former Singaporean prime minister Lee Kuan Yew said in a famous 1966 speech. Bereft of allies and surrounded by hostile neighbours at the height of the Cold War, Lee made a passionate plea for steadfastness and self-reliance in face of danger.


Half a century later, Singapore has transformed into a 21st-century Sparta, respected by major powers and boasting one of the world’s most well-equipped armed forces. Thus, the Biden administration’s decision to snub Singapore, among other Southeast Asian states, for its upcoming Summit for Democracy has raised some eyebrows.

[Niubee]

I have this thought.... on HSK and why he was taken off.... based on his "long runway".

He is pro China.... and Loong is pro....Yank

[sgbuffett]

It is a DEMOCRACY summit ....I just want to check if Singapore is a democracy by liberal democracy stardards on which the summit appear to be based.

If it's Woman's summit, you don't expect men to be invited do you?

LKY , right or wrong was critical of western
liberal democracy and did not wish Singapore to be one.... leaders who took over did not change much.

[starbugs]

No need to raise eyebrows. The list of invitees is related to whether you are prepared to show whether you are pro-US or pro-China. SG probably quietly declined even if invited.

[maxsanic]

No need to raise eyebrows. The list of invitees is related to whether you are prepared to show whether you are pro-US or pro-China. SG probably quietly declined even if invited.

Not really, many of the participants are actually friendly with China. China doesn't make any objections to countries attending and many of these countries are probably just there to do a photo op and chit chat as long as US does not expect them to do anything real.

As for Singapore, considering that LHL had several brushes with China before and is now desperately trying to convince everyone that we are neutral and don't want to take sides, Singapore not getting invited is probably the best outcome.

[*天哥*]

China also has their own democracy summit.

[CHAOS]

I have this thought.... on HSK and why he was taken off.... based on his "long runway".

He is pro China.... and Loong is pro....Yank

Lot of Peranakans in SG are pro Angmoh and prefer English and Malay speaking only

[*天哥*]

China puts on its own ‘democracy forum’ in countdown to Biden’s summit | South China Morning Post https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomac...ens-summit

[*天哥*]

China democracy summit is ahead of Biden's.

[*天哥*]

China democracy is authentic because the decision making power is distributed into the hands of every citizen equally.

[*天哥*]

USA denocracy is fake..it is a form of Imperialism.

[*天哥*]

We call that capitalism not democracy.