5 h. ago How Singapore can help China build bridges in an age of fracture

The recent visit of Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong to China reaffirmed the strategic depth of the China–Singapore relationship. His meetings with Chinese leaders underscored a readiness to work together to uphold the principles of free trade and multilateralism. But beyond symbolism, this visit raised critical questions. What role will Singapore now play on the global and regional stage? What new possibilities does this moment unlock? As geopolitical rivalry hardens and the risks of...

Politics

12 h. ago How Singapore’s early leaders supported Lee Kuan Yew’s vision by challenging him

In this excerpt from Ink and Influence: An OB Markers Sequel, Cheong Yip Seng, former editor-in-chief of The Straits Times, offers rare behind-the-scenes insights into the personalities who shaped post-independence Singapore. Through stories involving figures such as S.R. Nathan, a senior civil servant who later became president, and S. Rajaratnam, the country’s first foreign minister, Cheong reveals a founding leadership team unafraid to challenge even Lee Kuan Yew – while remaining bound by a...

Politics

36 h. ago South Korea, Japan step up as US targets China’s shipbuilding – can they succeed?

As the United States vows to curb China’s dominance in shipbuilding – despite its domestic capacity being nearly nonexistent – South Korea and Japan are looking to benefit from the rivalry and reclaim their competitive edge. South Korea’s president, Lee Jae-myung, who took office a month ago, campaigned on supporting the industry – which he described as being “in major crisis”. “Shipbuilding has been a core industry driving Korea’s exports and creating jobs,” he said in a social media post on...

Events

36 h. ago Why Singapore refused to be a ‘Third China’ – and how Lee Kuan Yew made it clear

In his new memoir Ink and Influence: An OB Markers Sequel, Cheong Yip Seng reflects on the intersection of geopolitics, media, and identity through the lens of his long career as editor-in-chief of The Straits Times. In this excerpt, Cheong recounts a revealing moment during an official visit to China in 1976 with then-prime minister Lee Kuan Yew. Among the officials present was S.R. Nathan, later Singapore’s sixth president, who witnessed Lee subtly rebuff a Chinese attempt to influence the...

Politics

3 d. ago New memoir reveals Lee Kuan Yew’s respectful strategy for China relations

Singapore’s founding prime minister Lee Kuan Yew recognised early on that China demanded respect and equality in diplomacy – a posture that earned him Beijing’s enduring trust, according to veteran newspaper editor Cheong Yip Seng. In his newly released memoir Ink and Influence: An OB Markers Sequel, Cheong reflects on Lee’s deft handling of China relations, drawn from personal experience covering his landmark 1976 visit to Beijing and later working closely with him as editor-in-chief of...

Politics

1 week ago China’s Xi urges Singapore leader to jointly resist ‘hegemony’

China’s Xi urges Singapore leader to jointly resist ‘hegemony’  Arab News

Politics

2 w. ago Meloni launches Europe's new vision for Africa, challenging Beijing's dominance in continent

Meloni launches Europe's new vision for Africa, challenging Beijing's dominance in continent  Sakshi Post

Politics

2 w. ago Singapore leader’s visit gives China chance to pitch itself as reliable partner

Singapore’s Prime Minister Lawrence Wong will visit China next week, on a trip that is expected to give Beijing a chance to promote itself as a reliable partner for Southeast Asian countries and defender of multilateralism. China will also be keen to reassure Singapore that the Chinese economy is “back on track” as it gears up for a trade war with the United States, analysts said. It will be Wong’s first trip to China since becoming prime minister in May 2024. The visit follows his People’s...

Politics