For the last 50 years, Singapore had adopted the neutral policy with
regard to China and the USA. Singapore want to be a friend of China
and also a friend of the USA.
Singapore's NEW Foreign Minister Shanmugam, an Indian, has deviously
changed the foreign policy for Singapore. In the past, Singapore had
respect China's position ...on how to settle the disputed claim on
Islands owned by China in the South China Sea. Now he has sided with
the USA.
China has long insisted that the disputes on the islands in South
China Sea must be settled individually by direct negotiation between
China and the other party.... the USA or ASEAN had no bloody business
to be involved. China made this very clear to all the countries
involved and to the USA..... that she will certainly NOT, have the
disputes to settled as a group under the leadership of USA.
Before the disputed claims are settled, China welcome ASEAN
contribution by agreeing to a code of conduct in South China Sea...NOT
to take unilateral action to escalate tension in this region. ASEAN
meeting was a platform ONLY for discussing the code of conduct for
nations to behave in South China Sea.
Shanmugam has now changed his stance...saying that ASEAN meeting
should be a platform for the settlement of the disputed claim on
islands owned by China.... a position put forward by H Clinton and was
rejected by China.
It is dangerous for Singapore to side with the USA...Singapore good
relationship with China will be in jeopardy.... trade with China will
be affected...our economy will suffer greatly.
Former PM Goh was quick to point out ..that Singapore's position
should be friends of both China and the USA...implying that it is
wrong for Singapore to side with the USA. But Goh CT is out of the
cabinet...as 'has been' with no real power.
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1192724/1/.html