PM Lee Hsien Loong at the 8th S Rajaratnam Lecture

PM Lee sets out ways to safeguard Singapore's interests abroad
He says a united, successful Singapore makes it relevant to, and respected by, others
By Rachel Chang, Assistant Political Editor, The Straits Times, 28 Nov 2015

Small as Singapore is, it has refused to accept being powerless on the international stage as its fate, said Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong yesterday.

Our foreign policy is a balance between realism and idealism. I spoke about this as well as our fundamental interests and international relations at the S Rajaratnam Lecture yesterday. The Lecture series is organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) Diplomatic Academy.Compared to where we started off 50 years ago, Singapore’s position in the world has improved immeasurably. We are respected and successful. We enjoy good standing in the international community and we have friends from around the world.For this, we have generations of MFA officers and Ministers to thank, starting with our first Foreign Minister, the late Mr S Rajaratnam, after whom the Lecture series is named. In fact, MFA has done such a good job that people hardly know they exist, until they lose a passport somewhere. :)In the end, both our external influence and our domestic success comes down to us as individuals. In the words of Mr Rajaratnam, “Being Singaporean is a matter not of ancestry, but of choice and conviction.” If we have that conviction, we can achieve success for Singapore as one united people, we can have an effective foreign policy, and we can keep our little red dot shining bright in the world.Thank you to Ambassador Ong Keng Yong for moderating the Q&A session. You can view my lecture here: y2u.be/a1Rq7Vv1bUk– LHL (PMO Video by Alex Qiu)
Posted by Lee Hsien Loong on Friday, November 27, 2015

Delivering the annual S. Rajaratnam Lecture organised by the Foreign Affairs Ministry's Diplomatic Academy, he said the country is determined to be a master of its own destiny in a world where power often determines which countries prevail and set the agenda.

"Our foreign policy is a balance between realism and idealism," he told an audience of diplomats, foreign service officers and students at the Fairmont hotel.

"We know we have to take the world as it is and not as we would wish it to be. But we believe that we can and must defend ourselves and advance our interests."



Singapore's fundamental interests are to have peace in the world, stability and security in the region, a network of friends and allies, and to ultimately preserve its sovereignty, he said.

It has advanced these interests on the global stage through four strategic ways in the past 50 years, and should continue to do so, he added as he elaborated on them.

First, Singapore must be an active and constructive international player that adds value.

Its officials and diplomats have played active deal-making roles to forge international consensus on issues such as climate change and maritime law in the past.

Singapore has also made common cause with other small states in forming groups to influence the global agenda.

Second, Singapore must sustain good relations with its neighbours, namely in South-east Asia, he said.

It works with its partners to make ASEAN an effective and credible group, and also aims to be an honest and fair broker in disputes such as the one over South China Sea territory.

Third, Singapore must continue to succeed as a country if it wants to remain relevant globally.

"A failed state cannot have an effective foreign policy," Mr Lee said. "The diplomats may be brilliant... but if the country is in a mess, nobody will take them seriously."

Singapore's prosperity and harmony is why other countries want to do business with it and learn from its expertise.

A strong defence force is also a vital layer to protect Singapore when all else fails.

Finally, Singaporeans must remain united across political, racial and religious divides.

The opposition must understand Singapore's fundamental interests in the world and not "seek to undermine them to court foreign support or to gain political points", Mr Lee said.

Singapore also maintains a crucial distinction between race and nationality, a distinction not always understood by other countries, he noted.

While many Singaporeans are of Chinese descent, Singapore is not a Chinese society; while five of Singapore's former foreign ministers have been of Indian ethnic origin, they have taken a Singaporean perspective and represented Singapore's interests.

"In the end, both our external influence and our domestic unity and success come down to us as individual citizens," he said. "We must be determined that we want to be Singaporean, to stand up in the world, and to be a shining red dot."

Our foreign policy is a balance between realism and idealism. I spoke about this as well as our fundamental interests...
Posted by Lee Hsien Loong on Friday, November 27, 2015

Political unity key to Singapore's success: PM
Republic needs an opposition that will not seek to undermine the country's interests in the world, he says
By Janice Heng, The Straits Times, 28 Nov 2015

Singapore needs an opposition which understands the country's interests and does not seek to undermine them, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said yesterday when giving the S. Rajaratnam Lecture on foreign affairs.

Such political unity is needed for domestic success. And domestic success - which means having economic prosperity, peace, a well-run state and strong defence - is what underpins successful foreign policy, Mr Lee said. "Singapore must continue to succeed as a nation to wield any influence at all."

He stressed that being united politically does not mean having no opposition. Rather, it means that Government and opposition "come together after elections, especially when dealing with other countries".

What is needed is "an opposition that will understand Singapore's fundamental interests in the world and will not seek to undermine them, to court foreign support or to gain political points", he said.

Singapore has had opposition politicians like that, he added, and cited former Member of Parliament Chiam See Tong.

"Whatever our domestic disagreements... when he travels overseas, he stands up for Singapore and closes ranks. And that is really the norm that should prevail in politics in Singapore."

Mr Lee noted that where "politics is fractious", foreign policy changes with the political winds.

This makes cooperation with other countries difficult, as partners cannot be sure that what is agreed with one government will be honoured by the next.

It also makes it easier for other countries to take advantage of the political uncertainty, by simply waiting for governments to change.

It is thus important for Singapore to maintain a clear foreign policy direction and pursue that in the long term, Mr Lee concluded.

Singaporeans must also be united "regardless of race, language and religion", he said, adding that the country's ethnic groups have cultural ties to corresponding groups in India, China and South-east Asia.

This is an asset as it aids cooperation, but also a vulnerability if "external ethnic or religious pulls split us along the primordial fault lines".

"So we have to keep working at our racial and religious harmony, and keep strengthening our shared Singaporean identity," he said.

Mr Lee noted that on the world stage, Singapore is careful to maintain a distinction between ethnicity and Singaporean identity.

When Singapore leaders meet Chinese leaders formally, they speak in English and use interpreters - even if they know Mandarin. "It's an important point of principle."

Mr Lee recalled once explaining the difference between "Singaporean Chinese" and "Chinese Chinese" to a Japanese prime minister - who then asked his interpreter what "Chinese Chinese" meant.

Not everyone might understand the difference, he said. "But the distinction is critical to us in a multiracial society."

PM Lee Hsien Loong on...


SOCIAL MEDIA AND FOREIGN AFFAIRS



I had dinner with (Indian Prime Minister Narendra) Modi at Komala Vilas. At the end, he produced a handphone and said, how about a selfie. I said, we can do that, I have a handphone too. He posted faster than me.

But because of that selfie, a lot of people took an interest and knew Mr Modi was here and we had this meeting. I think, without that selfie, a lot of Singaporeans would not have taken an interest in the reports, the long explanation of our joint statement and partnership and all that we do. It's important to be accessible to a significant proportion of the population.



HOW THE GOVERNMENT WOULD REACT IF ISIS TOOK A SINGAPOREAN HOSTAGE



You cannot take the humanitarian point of view as your instinct to do good may lead to more harm. On the other hand, to not do anything at all, it goes against all your feelings of what you must do for your own compatriot. That's why we tell people to please stay out of danger and don't go there.

How a small player can play a big role in global affairs
By Janice Heng, The Straits Times, 28 Nov 2015

Singapore's impact on global warming is almost non-existent. It is "hardly a major emitter of greenhouse gases - even if we all stopped breathing, it would not make any difference to global warming'', said Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.

Yet Singapore plays an active role in global climate change negotiations, including next week's talks in Paris.

Mr Lee cited this yesterday as an example of how Singapore can take important roles in international affairs despite being a small player.

"We have to be an active, constructive player, seek to add value and make ourselves relevant to other countries," he said yesterday at this year's S. Rajaratnam Lecture.

One strategy is "to make common cause" with others, particularly small states.

Another is to anticipate future developments and be in the right position, whatever happens.

Mr Lee noted the apparent incongruity of Singapore, an equatorial country, being an observer on the Arctic Council.

But if the melting Arctic Ocean opens up a northern sea route, that becomes highly relevant to Singapore's maritime position.

It may not happen, he acknowledged. "But if it does, we will be there. These are small bets to hedge our position."

Singapore can also contribute by bringing good ideas to the table and helping to broker deals.

Mr Lee cited the 2005 Pacific 4 free trade agreement (FTA) among Singapore, Brunei, Chile and New Zealand, saying it was one "small initiative" which had a big impact.

"Not the first four that would come to mind when you're thinking about the next promising FTA in the world," he said.

Trade among the four was "modest". Yet it formed the nucleus for the Trans-Pacific Partnership, a group of 12 nations - including the United States and Japan - comprising 40 per cent of global gross domestic product.

Besides pushing its initiatives, Singapore can facilitate deals.

In climate change, its representatives act as a bridge between developed and developing countries.

Singapore also takes on intermediary roles at the regional level, such as mediating between China and ASEAN claimant states in the South China Sea, noted Mr Lee.

While Singapore has no claims there, it has important interests at stake, such as freedom of navigation, peaceful dispute resolution and respect for international law.

The aim is not just to preserve regional peace, but also to establish a reputation as a reliable country to deal with - and enhancing ASEAN's credibility as an effective organisation, he said.

"We are one of the smaller ASEAN countries, we are not in a dominant position, but we do our part."

Singapore also works with ASEAN partners to make the bloc an effective, credible player in larger forums, working together instead of negotiating against one another.

Within ASEAN, Singapore's closest ties are with Malaysia and Indonesia.

Even when problems arise, Singapore tries to settle them without affecting the wider relationship, said Mr Lee, citing the dispute over Pedra Branca island, which was referred to the International Court of Justice and resolved.

'Integration keeps Islamist extremism from taking root'
By Rachel Chang, Assistant Political Editor, The Straits Times, 28 Nov 2015

The Muslim community here must feel that they are a part of Singapore and fully accepted as equal citizens to keep Islamist extremism from taking hold, said Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong yesterday.

During a 45-minute dialogue that followed his S. Rajaratnam Lecture on foreign affairs, Mr Lee said the downtrodden situation of some Muslim communities in other countries is a reason - although not a justification, he made clear - "to think dangerous thoughts".

"But this is a peaceful, harmonious and cohesive society (and so) there is less trigger," he noted.



He was responding to a question from Ambassador-at-Large Tommy Koh on how the Singapore Government can deal with the influence of the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) terrorist group in the region.

Later, Mr Lee noted that the Government's policy of ethnic quotas in public housing - which also gives rise to an ethnic mix in schools as students are allocated geographically - works to prevent the formation of enclaves where "despair and alienation" can arise.

This, however, is the situation in France's banlieue or suburbs, he added. Earlier this month, attacks by ISIS terrorists in Paris killed at least 130 people.

Mr Lee also credited the role played by Muslim community and religious leaders in Singapore in speaking out against extreme Islamist teachings, something that is rare in other countries, he said.

"This is very precious because in many countries, when governments try to work with religious leaders, the worry is that leaders lose their flock and become irrelevant," he added.

Singapore's Religious Rehabilitation Group, which counsels terror detainees and counters radical ideology, has done good work, he added.

Mr Lee also noted that the vigilance of the community in monitoring and reporting those who seem to be influenced by extremist ideology has thwarted terror plots in Singapore.

During the dialogue, he was asked questions on Singapore's soft power and how the Government shapes its foreign policy towards countries with unstable governments.

Mr Lee said that with politically unstable countries, the Singapore Government has to deal with "whoever is in charge", as ostracism would only make matters worse.

He noted that the Americans and Europeans ostracised the military rulers of Myanmar, while Singapore advocated engagement.

"In the end, I think we did the right thing," he said, pointing to Myanmar's transition to democracy that is now under way, with the country holding its first contested elections earlier this month.

At the ASEAN Summit last week, Mr Lee also said that he congratulated Myanmar President Thein Sein on managing the complex and difficult process peacefully.

Mr Thein Sein replied that he was most proud of the fact that the process started at the same time as the Arab Spring, but while the Middle East is now mired in a messy and unhappy situation, Myanmar is peaceful.

Securing Singapore's place in the world
Key to this are success and unity at home and active, constructive diplomacy abroad, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said in his S. Rajaratnam Lecture yesterday. Below is an edited excerpt of his speech.
The Straits Times, 28 Nov 2015

Small countries like ours have constantly to ask ourselves: How can we make sure that we survive, and keep our place in the sun?

Going by the rhetoric of diplomacy, international relations are based on high-minded principles... but in practice, the conduct of international affairs reflects a harsher reality. It is power that determines which countries prevail, and set the agenda. Realpolitik is never absent, even if it is not quite the law of the jungle.

Perhaps that is why the Chinese say "small states have no foreign policy"; they cannot shape events, but have to take the world as they find it. Look at what happened when Iraq invaded Kuwait and Russia annexed Crimea.

Singapore, small as we are, has refused to accept this as our fate. We are determined to be masters of our own destiny. Our foreign policy is a balance between realism and idealism. We know we have to take the world as it is and not as we wish it to be. But we believe that we can and must defend ourselves and advance our interests.

Of course, we have to be clear about our fundamental interests, which have not changed in the last 50 years:

• To have peace in the world, to have an international order where countries respect and abide by international law.

• To establish a network of friends and allies whom we can work with.

• Ultimately, to preserve our sovereignty, and our right to determine our future.

How can Singapore advance these national interests? There is a saying from the Confucian classic Great Learning: "One must first cultivate one's own person, then regulate one's family, then order well one's state, then only can one make the whole kingdom tranquil and happy."

This is the Confucian view of government, and is deep in the Chinese psyche, and a timeless piece of wisdom which holds universal application, that there is a direct link from the virtue of the individual, to the family, to the larger society and to universal harmony.

Singapore is a modern society, but we have tried hard to maintain traditional values that are relevant to us and this quote neatly encapsulates one way to think about how we advance our interests internationally. We must first put our home in order, so a successful foreign policy is linked to what we do domestically in Singapore.

I will elaborate on this, starting from the outside.

First, internationally, we have to be an active, constructive player, seek to add value and make ourselves relevant to other countries. Second, in our own region, we have to make common cause with our neighbours. Third, Singapore must continue to succeed as a nation to wield any influence at all. Fourth, Singapore's success, whether externally or domestically, depends on our staying united as a people, firm in our conviction that Singapore will endure and prevail.

CONSTRUCTIVE PLAYER

Diplomacy covers many issues, and takes place in dozens of fora. As a small country, we cannot be everywhere but we have to be present for the key ones - for example, United Nations, World Trade Organisation, Apec - where our interests are at stake.

We must have the strategic sense to maintain our policy and direction over many years, to secure our interests patiently and subtly. At the same time we have to be tactically nimble during these conferences, to influence discussions where we can, and where it is important to us.

What do we do? First, we make common cause with others, in particular with other small states. Individually, our voices may be small but, collectively, our voices are amplified. That is why we set up the Forum of Small States at the UN, an informal group of 105 small countries.

Second, we constantly look ahead to anticipate developments, so that we are positioned to protect our interests, whichever way events may break. That is particularly important in these uncertain times. For example, the third G-to-G project between Singapore and China in Chongqing positions us at one end of the "One Belt, One Road" project. This now makes us part of the "belt" passing through Eurasia as well as the "road" passing through South-east Asia.

Third, we bring something to the table. We do not have deep pockets of money to disburse nor power to coerce others but we master the issues, we bring constructive ideas, and every single diplomat in our team adds something to the discussions.

This is what we did a generation ago, when the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (Unclos) was being negotiated. Professor Tommy Koh, our Ambassador-at-Large and veteran diplomat, played a central role in the negotiations as president of the conference. We formed a coalition of landlocked and geographically disadvantaged nations to push for our common interests. As a small island state that has always depended on maritime trade as our economic lifeline, we had to defend the rights of freedom of navigation and overflight.

The Unclos treaty provided for these rights, and has become an important legal reference point for claims over sea areas, and the types of activities permitted in these sea areas. Unclos strikes a careful balance between the rights and interests of littoral states and those of other countries in the community of nations, helping to provide a way of resolving disputes peacefully.

Currently, we are similarly actively engaged in the negotiations on climate change, including the major meeting in Paris next week. Singapore is hardly a major emitter of greenhouse gases - even if we all stopped breathing, it would not make any difference to global warming. But our ambassadors for climate change have played active roles lobbying for support and acting as a bridge between developed and developing countries.

Occasionally, we are lucky enough to take a small initiative which leads to a more significant outcome, for example the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). It started out 10 years ago, when four small countries concluded the Pacific 4 (P4) free trade agreement - Brunei, Chile, New Zealand and Singapore. Trade with each other was modest. Together, the impact on world trade was negligible. But we did the P4 in the hope that it would form a nucleus which other Asia-Pacific countries could later join and which would develop into a significant free trade arrangement in the Asia-Pacific. This is what in fact happened.

More countries wanted to be a part of this. Eventually it became the TPP, which is a grouping of 12 countries comprising 40 per cent of global GDP, including the US and Japan. The TPP is completely different, in scale and ambition, from the P4. Its significance is not just economic, but also strategic. It deepens ties between the US and Asia, makes for a more integrated and stable region, and is a pathway to an eventual Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific.

REGIONAL STABILITY

Second, we work to sustain good relations amongst countries in our immediate region, namely South-east Asia. ASEAN is the cornerstone of our foreign policy. We work actively with our ASEAN partners, we participate in ASEAN projects, we help the less developed countries in ASEAN - countries like Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam and Myanmar - to narrow the development gap through the Initiative for ASEAN Integration. We work hard to forge ASEAN consensus on common issues, whether pursuing ASEAN economic integration, or tackling transboundary haze.

Singapore is one of the smaller countries. We are not in a dominant position, but we do our part. We also work with our ASEAN partners to make ASEAN an effective and credible player in wider regional or multilateral forums.

ASEAN diplomacy is not always about enhancing cooperation. From time to time, we also have to manage disputes and frictions, as we are doing on the South China Sea. Singapore is not a claimant state, but we do have important interests at stake - freedom of navigation, peaceful resolution of disputes, respect for international law. We also have a role to play because we are the coordinator for ASEAN-China Dialogue Relations. We aim to be an honest broker, dealing fairly and openly with all parties so that we not only preserve stability and peace in the region but also establish our reputation for being a reliable country to deal with, and ASEAN can enhance its credibility as an effective organisation that can deal with difficult security issues.

Within ASEAN, our most intense relations are with our closest neighbours, Malaysia and Indonesia. In Kuala Lumpur last week, PM Najib (Razak) and I opened Titian Budaya, a joint celebration of 50 years of Singapore-Malaysia friendship through art and culture. In my speech, I described our relationship using the Malay proverb, Bagai aur dengan tebing - "Like the bamboo and the river bank", each depends on the other for their mutual survival. Singapore and Malaysia depend on each other, and we must work with each other. So Singapore works hard to strengthen our ties with Malaysia and Indonesia. They are among our biggest economic partners.

SINGAPORE'S SUCCESS

Third, an active and successful foreign policy depends on whether Singapore is successful as a country. This means a prospering economy, the people living in peace and harmony and the country well-run and, in particular, safe, able to defend ourselves, and determined to do so.

A failed state cannot have an effective foreign policy. No one will take it seriously. Because our economy has prospered, others want to do business with us. Our society lives in harmony, and we have found solutions to many of our problems, like housing, healthcare, or water supply. Hence others hold us in high regard and find us an interesting example from which they hope to glean ideas. That is why we can cooperate with many countries on projects that capitalise on our expertise and reputation, which creates opportunities for our businesses and people.

We have government-to- government projects in China - Suzhou Industrial Park, Tianjin Eco-City and, now, Chongqing. We have joint venture industrial parks in Indonesia, Vietnam. Our companies are master-planning Amaravati, the new capital of Andhra Pradesh state in India.

But diplomacy has to be backed by something more than words. Words are indeed important. Singapore takes words very seriously. We weigh every word in the statements we issue, we honour every agreement that we enter into, and we expect the same of others. But, ultimately, words have to be carried out and realised in actions and outcomes.

Therefore, it is important for us to have a strong defence, so as to protect Singapore when all else fails. Hence a strong, capable Singapore Armed Forces is a vital layer in our external policy.

Singapore has been a successful country, but we must never let that go to our heads. We must never believe that we are superior to others or that we know better than others how to solve their problems. Just as others hope to learn something from us, we too must always be eager to learn from others.

ONE UNITED PEOPLE

Fourth, to be successful, we must stay as one united people, united politically, and united as a cohesive, multiracial society.

We have to be united politically. This does not mean no political opposition. It means that citizens vote in open elections for who they wish to run the government, the opposition understands Singapore's fundamental interests in the world and does not seek to undermine them to gain political points or court foreign support, and we all come together after elections, especially when dealing with other countries.

We have had opposition parties like that. Mr Chiam See Tong for example: Whatever our domestic disagreements and arguments and policy perspectives, when he travels overseas, he stands up for Singapore and closes ranks. And that is really the norm that should prevail in politics in Singapore.

It is important for us to maintain a clear direction and understanding of our national interests, and to pursue that consistently over a long period. It can help to compensate for our lack of heft, give confidence to others that we will be reliable partners. In a country where the politics is fractious, as the political wind changes, so often too does foreign policy. This makes it much harder for others to work with it, as they cannot be sure that the next government will continue to pursue the same policy. It also makes it easier for others to take advantage of uncertainty and wait you out, knowing that your government will not last.

We also have to be united regardless of race, language and religion, in order that we are not divided when we conduct foreign policy. We may be Indian Singaporeans, Malay Singaporeans or Chinese Singaporeans, but we are above all Singaporeans first. We have to see the world through Singaporean eyes and advance Singapore's interests as our common interest.

There are ties of culture, race and kinship between our ethnic groups and corresponding groups in India, China or South-east Asia. Similarly with our religious groups, whether Hindu, Christian, Buddhist or Muslim. These ties are an advantage, because they help us to understand and work with partners in China, India, South-east Asia or the Middle East. Yet they can also be a vulnerability, if external ethnic or religious pulls can split us along the fault lines.

So we have to keep working at our racial and religious harmony, and keep strengthening our shared Singaporean identity. We are a much more cohesive society and we have a much stronger Singapore identity now. We are very careful in our ties with other countries, where race or religion can lead to misunderstanding. Take, for example, our relations with China. We enjoy very good relations with China but it is quite clear that we are Singapore, they are China and we are different. When Singapore leaders meet Chinese leaders in formal meetings, we speak in English and use interpreters, even though many of us understand and can speak Mandarin.

Other countries may not realise this, and may think that because many Singaporeans are of Chinese descent, so Singapore is a Chinese society. But the distinction is critical for us, as a multiracial society.

A SHARED CONVICTION

In the end, both our external influence and our domestic success come down to us as individuals. We must be determined that we want to be Singaporean, to stand up in the world, and to be a shining red dot. Mr Rajaratnam said: "Being Singaporean is a matter not of ancestry, but of choice and conviction." If we have that conviction, the rest will follow.

Others are watching us too, to see whether Singaporeans have that conviction, whether we have fight and we have heart. It shows in the spirit of our soldiers, those serving their national service full-time, and those in NS units, our will to fight for what we cherish and believe in.

It shows in how we help one another and our neighbours. For example, during the haze, volunteers from Relief.sg and Let's Help Kalimantan travelled to Kalimantan and Sumatra multiple times to deliver masks to the locals. They worked alongside international organisations and the Indonesian government, and brought about change in a small but tangible way.

Yes, we defend our corner, and care for our own people, but our people are not narrow-minded. We show a generosity of spirit, and we are compassionate towards others.