Why Singapore’s identity demanded distance from China – and its own story of nationhood
In his new book, veteran editor Cheong Yip Seng recalls how Lee Kuan Yew drew a diplomatic line that defined Singapore’s independent path
S.R. Nathan was in the delegation. Later, he told me this story: During Lee Kuan Yew’s (LKY) talks with the Chinese, his hosts gave him a book, India’s China War. It was written by Neville Maxwell, a journalist and Oxford academic.
The book was a pro-China version of the border war between India and China. LKY knew the Chinese purpose: It was trying to draw Singapore into its orbit.
According to S.R., LKY put the book aside, and responded, saying words to this effect: This is your version. There is another version of the war.
That left a deep impression on S.R. “I was so proud of what the PM did.” Singapore would not be drawn to take sides. It was also a demonstration of LKY’s commitment to multiracialism.
Three-quarters of Singaporeans are ethnic Chinese. Hence, Singapore is seen in some quarters in Indonesia and Malaysia as a subversive Third China.