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SINGAPORE AND CHINA 1986-1992
1.
Lee Kuan Yew, of all the ASEAN leaders, probably enjoys the closest relationship with China. He seems to have fewer fears of the long-term threat posed by China than do other ASEAN leaders. The Chinese for their part appear to trust him. The Chineseness of Singapore is clearly an asset, and Singapore is free of the political baggage attached to relations with Taiwan and Hong Kong. Chinese leaders also have considerable respect for Lee's achievements in Singapore and see Singapore as an economic model which combines free trade with a high degree of economic planning. There is also some speculation that the Chinese currently see Singapore as a political model
a political model - an authoritarian state with a dressing of democracy. Singapore has however been wary of developing too close relations for fear of upsetting the Malay neighbours to north and south.
2. It is clearly in Lee's interest to keep the Chinese friendly. He therefore has little sympathy for democratisation policies in Hong Kong because these annoy the Chinese and, he would argue, might lead to destabilisation. It can be argued that Lee is also opposed to democratisation policies because he would not wish to see a Chinese state that is not only economically successful, but also politically liberal.
3. During the 1980s China drew nearer to the ASEAN countries with their joint opposition to the Vietnamese occupation of Cambodia. This was a major topic during Lee Kuan Yew's visit to China in 1988. Other topics dealt with aspects of economic cooperation. Singapore has, since the mid 1980s, attempted to put itself forward as a showcase for and a gateway to China, and an intermediary between the MNCs and China. A number of economic and technical agreements were signed even before the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1990.
4.
Lee called on the Governor of Hong Kong on his way home from China in 1988. He told the Governor that "Hong Kong was fairly low on the list of Chinese concerns. Taiwan was much more in their minds. We should try and keep it that way. If Hong Kong became a political irritant after 1997 or if too much friction developed between it and the mainland, the CPG would be provoked into taking action. For that reason, Hong Kong should not progress economically too far beyond Shenzhen or Shenzhen beyond the rest of Guangdong province".
5. Lee has always enjoyed a close but discreet relationship with Taiwan, visiting at least once a year. In 1989 there was speculation that Lee might play a middle-man role between Peking and Taiwan. Lee told a Taiwanese magazine that Singapore would not want to get involved in the question. "Singapore's stand is that there is only one China. How it is going to be reunified must be the decision of the people from both sides of the strait". Later in the year, the President of Taiwan visited Singapore, only the second trip abroad by any President from Taiwan. Lee said that the opening of diplomatic relations with China would not
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