Singapore

Singapore, World

Japan-India sixth Indo-Pacific Forum Unveils Record-Breaking Cooperation With a Common Goal

The 6th India-Japan Indo-Pacific Forum, attended virtually by External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar and his Japanese counterpart Toshumitsu Motegi, showcased the deepening collaboration between the two nations. Both emphasizing the Indo-Pacific as a strategic area, they addressed challenges like terrorism, climate change, and China’s expansionism. Key initiatives were discussed, including the QUAD, Supply Chain Resilience Initiative, Clean Energy Partnership, and Semiconductor Supply Chain Partnership. Dr. Jaishankar highlighted these ventures as crucial for a reliable global economy, emphasizing their significance in various domains. The ministers also acknowledged the pivotal role of people-to-people exchanges, symbolized by the Year of India-Japan Tourism Exchanges. Simultaneousl
Singaporean Newspaper’s Article Criticizing Xirocks Chinese Internet
China, Singapore

Singaporean Newspaper’s Article Criticizing Xirocks Chinese Internet

A scathing opinion piece lambasting Xi Jinping, published by a Singaporean newspaper, did not escape the attention of netizens on Weibo, who clandestinely lauded its contents. The article, titled "The Economy Is The Problem, Its Root Is Politics," was penned by Hong Kong businessman and writer Lew Mon-hung. A former member of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference and previously a staunch pro-China figure, he squarely laid the blame for China's present economic challenges on Xi Jinping, the pervasive cult of personality around him and the Party's inability to implement political reforms including democratization. Had this piece been published in most overseas Chinese-language media outlets, its impact might have been relatively muted. However, its appearance in Singapor
Singapore will elect a new leader despite unusual political controversies.
Politics, Singapore

Singapore will elect a new leader despite unusual political controversies.

Election comes as minister faces a corruption investigation and voters express frustration with the electoral process Singaporeans will select a new president on Friday, a vote that will measure public mood at a time when the ruling party, which has been in power for more than six decades, is reeling from a spate of uncommon political scandals. The vote comes as a senior government minister is under investigation by the country’s anti-graft agency, and after the resignation of two senior lawmakers over an affair. The president, who is supposed to be politically neutral, is largely a ceremonial role but it has certain powers that are considered a check on the government, such as the ability to approve anti-corruption investigations and veto certain decisions. The city-
The advancement of economic cooperation between ASEAN and China is dependent on resolving political matters.
Politics, Singapore

The advancement of economic cooperation between ASEAN and China is dependent on resolving political matters.

In saying this, Prime Minister Lee cited as an example the South China Sea code of conduct, negotiations over which have been stalled for years. Political issues between Asean and China will need to be worked on to pave the way for further progress on economic cooperation, said Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. He cited as an example the code of conduct on the South China Sea – negotiations over which have been stalled for years – as something that was not easy to work out, but which Singapore hopes further progress will be made on. In an interview with broadcaster China Central Television that aired on Friday, PM Lee added that accommodating China’s rise on the global stage required statesmanship and give-and-take by all parties. Other countries must be able to accept that Chin
Vietnam president Thuong goes China way…
Singapore

Vietnam president Thuong goes China way…

The election of Vo Van Thuong as the country’s new president has been welcomed by China as Thuong is likely to continue with his predecessor’s foreign and economic policies. Even analysts and experts said that there won’t be major changes to Vietnam’s foreign policy following Thuong’s elections. A foreign investor based in Vietnam said that the elections have put an end to uncertainty caused by the sudden dismissal of the former president. Fifty two year old Vo Van Thuong was nominated by the Vietnam’s communist party as the country’s new president following the sudden forced resignation in January of his predecessor NguyenXuanPhucas part of a sweeping anti- corruption campaign.Thuong is the youngest member of the party’s Politburo, the country’s top decision-making body, and is widely
Singapore greens the investment landscape
Business, Singapore, World

Singapore greens the investment landscape

Singapore greens the investment landscape In recent years, Singapore has been pushing greener standards in the investment and finance market, as well as the larger economy. (Photo: Joel Chong) 'Overall, it's a good thing to have," said Khoo De Wan. He was speaking of Singapore's Environmental, Social and Governance standards, or ESG, which listed companies in the nation must abide by. The local resident and investor added, "It may help to bring in more business, but by itself it's not enough to make a company an investable company. That's my thinking." "Sad to say, the end goal [of investing] is monetary or financial, rather than environmental," said Mr Khoo. Thinking like Mr Khoo's are what the Singapore Exchange (SGX) has been seeking to shift over the past six years or so. This is p...
Asean still toothless a year after Myanmar coup
China, Conflict, Singapore, World

Asean still toothless a year after Myanmar coup

Asean still toothless a year after Myanmar coup The first anniversary of Myanmar's military coup is approaching. Since Feb 1 last year, the country's socio-political landscape has changed dramatically. Brutal fighting has reached many parts of the country and the economy lies in tatters, while the UN warns that half the population may soon slip below the poverty line. A broad-based resistance movement has been formed, with the National Unity Government (NUG) and the National Unity Consultative Council (NUCC) as important players, while many of the country's Ethnic Armed Organisations (EAO's) and newly formed people's militias play substantial roles in various parts of the country. The illegitimate military regime, the State Administration Council (SAC), is detested by a vast majority of...
39 Chinese warplanes seen near ADIZ
China, Conflict, Singapore

39 Chinese warplanes seen near ADIZ

Hong Kong: China continues to enter in Taiwan’s air defence zone. Recently thirty-nine Chinese warplanes breached the air defence identification zone (ADIZ) on Sunday. "No doubt this is part of the broader campaign by Beijing aimed at eroding the will and ability of Taiwan to continue resisting," said Collin Koh, a research fellow at the S Rajaratnam School of International Studies in Singapore. While the Chinese incursions were likely a reaction to the large naval presence Tokyo and Washington were putting in the area, they also served another purpose, said Koh. The flights by the People's Liberation Army aircraft came a day after the United States and Japanese navies put on a massive show of force in the Philippine Sea. The Philippine Sea is the area of the Pacific Ocean eas
Myanmar junta replaces air force chief amid bombing campaign
Business, Singapore, World

Myanmar junta replaces air force chief amid bombing campaign

Myanmar junta replaces air force chief amid bombing campaign Refugees, who have fled a flare-up in fighting between the Myanmar army and insurgent groups and settled temporarily on the Moei River Bank, are seen under makeshift tents on the Thai-Myanmar border, in Mae Sot, Tak province, January 7, 2022. (Reuters photo) Myanmar's military leader has removed the head of the air force, local media and four sources close to the armed forces said, replacing one of the most senior figures in a junta that has carried out bombing raids to try to crush resistance. The sources told Reuters that 57-year-old Maung Maung Kyaw, a general from an elite military background, had been ousted from the post he had held since 2018. Two of the sources said he was replaced on Monday by Htun Aung, who had been...
Hong Kong news site to shut; pro-Beijing lawmakers sworn in
China, Singapore, World

Hong Kong news site to shut; pro-Beijing lawmakers sworn in

HONG KONG (AP) — A group of lawmakers loyal to China’s Communist Party were sworn in to Hong Kong’s Legislature on Monday following an election without opposition candidates, as yet another pro-democracy news outlet announced it could no longer operate amid a growing crackdown on freedoms in the territory. The former British colony that was returned to China in 1997 was once known as a haven for dissent and freedoms of the press and expression not seen on the mainland. But the central government in Beijing has clamped down in the last year, leading to the closure of independent news outlets, the removal of monuments to dissent, and a poorly attended election swept by pro-Beijing politicians. The founders of news outlet Citizen News said the news site will stop publishing on Tuesday. Whil