Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong's recent whirlwind trip to China from Sept. 19 to 21, ahead of a key political meeting in Beijing, attracted worldwide media attention.

Many observers interpreted it as a sign that bilateral relations were back on track after going through a difficult period of strained ties.

In particular, PM Lee's meeting with President Xi Jinping's key ally -- Secretary of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection Wang Qishan, was viewed positively as a reflection of the goodwill and access our PM has with China's top leaders.

Making sense of Singapore-China relations

Does PM Lee's successful visit mean that it will always be hunky-dory between Singapore and China from now on?

This is a question that is on the minds of many Singaporeans.

However, for those who would like to learn more about the prospects of Singapore-China relations, in light of the warming of relations, there hasn't been many commentaries in the mainstream media to help make sense of the latest developments.

It is no wonder that they turn to China state media and regional newspapers like the Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post, and end up being somewhat confused by the conflicting perspectives that were presented.

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Relationships between sovereign states fluctuate

Nowadays, following personalities on Facebook may be a better way of understanding what's going on than reading any newspaper.

On Singapore foreign policy, the person who can best articulate Singapore's interests clearly and clinically may well be Ambassador-at-large Bilahari Kausikan.

Check out some of his Facebook posts below, and you can definitely learn something that you didn't know about our international relations and foreign policy. You would have noticed that he likes to share SCMP's articles, but he gives his own take on issues.

On China's desire to "energise" relations with Singapore and ASEAN

"When relations appear bad we should not become despondent; similarly when relations improve, we should not be over-joyed. All relationships between sovereign states fluctuate. The reason is simple: 'friendship' in international relations has a fundamentally different meaning from 'friendship' in personal relations. The latter connotes an emotional connection; the former means only a coincidence of national interests. Sovereign states will naturally have some interests that coincide and as naturally will have some interests that diverge. Singapore and China are separate sovereign states."

On China's probable change in approach in their dealings with small states

"New approach -- for now, until interests change."

On the view that China and Singapore are still at odds

"Not untrue but misses the essential point: as is usual in relations between sovereign states, sometimes interests converge and sometimes they will not. Not surprising perhaps that a HK writer does not get it."

Cuts to the chase and tells it like it is. And sometimes, that's really all we need to know.

Top image from PM Lee Facebook

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