'S'porean Chinese are different from Chinese-Chinese': SM Lee on importance of a national identity in multiracial S'pore

While in the UK, Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong spoke about maintaining a foreign policy based on our own national interest, and not anyone else's.

While this is difficult, it is "fundamental" and remains a "critical requirement", he said, elaborating that the task is made harder due to Singapore's multi-racial society, where others may impose their own views simply based on race.

SM Lee was speaking at a Chatham House session on Oct. 27.

Consistent, principled foreign policy

One of the questions he fielded was from another Singaporean affiliated with Chatham House. He asked about "key foreign policy achievements" that had the longest-lasting impact on Singapore's global standing.

SM Lee replied that Singapore is in "reasonably good standing" in the world and credited the first foreign minister, S Rajaratnam, for pushing for the formation of Asean and its collective influence.

Beyond that, SM Lee credits certain principles that helped Singapore to do well.

"We have been consistent in maintaining a foreign policy which is principled, calculated based on our national interest and clearly determined by us, and not on behalf of somebody else. And this is absolutely fundamental."

While this means that some countries may like us and others don't, and there may be run-ins with certain powers, our diplomats and leaders can say they are speaking on behalf of Singapore and are not the cat's paw of anyone else.

SM Lee said this is a "critical requirement" of our foreign policy.

People assume things of our multi-racial society

However, it can be hard to communicate this due to the fact of our multi-racial society.

Singapore's various racial groups, Chinese, Malay, Indian or South Asian, has a bigger, same-race population outside our borders.

There are Chinese in China, Malays in Malaysia and Indonesia and Indians in India.

"And with that composition, to be able to say, “I am speaking as a Singaporean, not as a Chinese or an Indian or Malay”, I think it is absolutely crucial and yet very difficult. It causes a lot of confusion," SM Lee said.

He recounted an experience with a former Japanese prime minister, who was confused when SM Lee made a distinction between Singaporean-Chinese and Chinese-Chinese (i.e. Chinese people from China).

Everyone compromises to get along

"Well, we are different. We are different because our national interests are different, and also because amongst ourselves, we have made accommodations and adjustments and compromises, and we know how to get along with one another," SM Lee said.

He added that there is a "certain identity that is emerging", distinct from Chinese in other countries, which is very important.

If that is lost, either because of an "influence operation" or a "bot network" that persuades them they should be standing "on one side or the other", that person is "gravely compromised."

Top image from PMO YouTube page.